## Irreversible vs. Reversible Expansion

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

Mahir_Hasan2C
Posts: 60
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:25 am

### Irreversible vs. Reversible Expansion

How are we able to tell if an expansion is irreversible or not?

aisteles1G
Posts: 117
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:15 am

### Re: Irreversible vs. Reversible Expansion

In most of the homework problems it seems to tell you if the reaction is reversible or not so I don't think you have to know if it is or not, I think the important thing to know concerning reversible reactions is that they use a different equation to calculate work and also that reversible reactions always do more work. Hope this helps!

Saachi_Kotia_4E
Posts: 68
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:23 am

### Re: Irreversible vs. Reversible Expansion

I think it depends on the surroundings of the reaction, for example certain containers allow it to be reversible, while others restrict it. I may be wrong, but this is what I understood from the homework problems. regardless, the homework seems to tell you whether or not its reversible, so I dont think we need to worry about determining it ourselves.