Answer to Question #115868 in Physical Chemistry for SUBHAM KAR

Question

Define and explain a thermodynamically reversible process?

Answer 1

A thermodynamic process (state i → state f ) is said to be reversible if the process can be turned back such that both the system and the surroundings return to their original states, with no other change anywhere else in the universe. As we know, in reality, no such processes as reversible processes can exist, thus, the reversible processes can easily be defined as idealizations or models of real processes, on which the limits of the system or device are to be defined. 

One famous example is Carnot Cycle which is a heat engine cycle with maximum efficiency consisting of two adiabatic reversible and two isothermal reversible process.

These process are infinitismal slow process in which a unit step change does not effect any change in surrounding.