## Reversible vs Irreversible

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

Janice Xiao 1I
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Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:00 am

### Reversible vs Irreversible

What's the difference between reversible work and irreversible work?

Julia Cheng 2J
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Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:00 am

### Re: Reversible vs Irreversible

Reversible work is done very slowly and requires the maximum amount of energy.

Aijun Zhang 1D
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Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2017 7:13 am

### Re: Reversible vs Irreversible

Reversible process: can change the reaction by changing a variable in subtle amount. The variable is usually pressure.
Also the reversible work is always greater than irreversible work.

Bansi Amin 1D
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### Re: Reversible vs Irreversible

Why is reversible work done so slowly?

Marina Georgies 1C
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Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2017 3:00 am

### Re: Reversible vs Irreversible

I may be wrong but I believe you are referring to irreversible vs reversible processes. A reversible process can be reversed by infinitely small changes in a variable (such as volume), and these infinitesimal changes are so tiny that they result in the maximum amount of work done. In the end, though, the direction of the reaction is able to be reversed.
For an irreversible process, the direction of the reaction cannot be changed by small changes in a variable.
A good example in the book is given on page 265 with the moving piston.

I hope this helps.