## What exactly is reversible expansion?

$w=-P\Delta V$
and
$w=-\int_{V_{1}}^{V_{2}}PdV=-nRTln\frac{V_{2}}{V_{1}}$

Harjas Sabharwal 1G
Posts: 42
Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2017 3:01 am

### What exactly is reversible expansion?

Why is reversible expansion is called reversible expansion because it is usually in one direction? Also why does the pressure on the outside have to be the same as that on the inside?

kaushalrao2H
Posts: 63
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:00 am
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### Re: What exactly is reversible expansion?

isothermal reversible expansion describes gas expansion whose direction can be reversed by inducing infinitesimal changes in the internal or external pressure. the pressure on the inside has to be a LITTLE bit more than the pressure on the outside, because the gas would not expand if the pressures were the same. if you were to make the external pressure a LITTLE but more than the internal pressure, then the gas would compress.

Christine Wastila 1H
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:04 am

### Re: What exactly is reversible expansion?

Just so you know, this won't be on the first test, and Dr. Lavelle said we would cover this topic in week 3.