Reversible vs Irreversible

[Angela Wu-2H]

Why does it matter if a system is reversible or irreversible? Does it change the formulas utilized?

[Bryce Barbee]

I think with entropy it matters because one of the formulas only uses heat (reversible) divided by temperature.

[Sjeffrey_1C]

You use different formulas depending if it is reversible or irreversible.

Reversible: work = -nRT ln (v1/v2)

Irreversible: work = -Pext ΔV

[805383532]

When a system is reversible, dS_total = dS_system + dS_surroundings is equal to 0.

[805329408]

For a reversible system, the system is isothermal and thus temperature is constant which impacts the formulas utilized since some are used for temperature change and some are used when temperature is constant which is the case of a isothermal, reversible system.

[Michelle N - 2C]

For a reversible system, the system is isothermal and thus temperature is constant which impacts the formulas utilized since some are used for temperature change and some are used when temperature is constant which is the case of a isothermal, reversible system.

Can you or someone here explain what equations can be used for reversible reactions and for irreversible reactions? Can some be used by both?

[Abigail_Hagen2G]

Yes, there are different equations to use based on if it's reversible or irreversible.

[Emil Velasco 1H]

It's also important to note that reversible does the most amount of work.