Reversible Process

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

Jessica Helfond 2F
Posts: 60
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:16 am

Reversible Process

What does calculating the infinitesimal change in volume mean? I get that it's when the volume is changing in very small steps, but what does that mean for the system in the big picture?

Jake Gordon 1A
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:15 am

Re: Reversible Process

I think his main idea was that every time the atmospheric pressure pushing down on the system is decreased by a tiny amount, there will be work done by the system. If we do this multiple times, we can get an accurate representation of how much work the system is doing in the long term. I think his point was that in comparison to the system with a 1 atm exterior and 2atm below the piston, the change is not rapid and it will be possible to calculate work even given that the pressure is changing we just haven't derived that equation yet. I hope this is somewhat what you are looking for.