## Reversible expansion

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

LG2019
Posts: 60
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:27 am

### Reversible expansion

What is reversible expansion and how does it differ from irreversible expansion?

504823355
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Nov 11, 2018 12:17 am

### Re: Reversible expansion

a reversible expansion is isothermal and therefore expanding at constant temperature and the pressure on the outside of the system is the same as the pressure on the inside. It can be reversed by an infinitesimal change in a variable, whereas an irreversible expansion cannot.

LG2019
Posts: 60
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:27 am

### Re: Reversible expansion

Ok thank you!

Felicia1E
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:22 am

### Re: Reversible expansion

It's also good to note that reversible reactions always do more work or have more work done by irreversible reactions, since reversible reactions is the max work done.

Jasmine Chow 1F
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### Re: Reversible expansion

reversible expansion will allow you to use the isothermal equation w= nrtln(delta V) while reversible isothermal can only use W=-pdeltaV.