Answer to Question #105347 in Physical Chemistry for Nitin Sarode

Question

Define and explain a thermodynamically reversible process.

Answer 1

In thermodynamics, a reversible process is a process whose direction can be returned to its original position by inducing infinitesimal changes to some property of the system via its surroundings. Throughout the entire reversible process, the system is in thermodynamic equilibrium with its surroundings. Having been reversed, it leaves no change in either the system or the surroundings. Since it would take an infinite amount of time for the reversible process to finish, perfectly reversible processes are impossible.