Laws of

Thermodynamics Thermodynamic
LECTURE 4 Processes
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Isobaric Process If a thermodynamic system undergoes
physical change at constant pressure,
then the process is called isobaric

P P = constant V∝T

W = P (V2 - V1 ) = P ΔV

V1 V2 V
Isochoric Process A thermodynamical process in which
volume of the system remain constant,
Is called isochoric process.

V = constant
P
Wisochoric = 0

V
V = constant
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

The correct curve between P vs V graph for an

isochoric process will be:

A. B.
P
P

T
T

C. D. P
P

T
T
Isothermal Process A thermodynamical process in which
pressure and volume of the system change
at constant temperature,
is called isothermal process.

P T = constant P ∝ 1/V

W = nRT ln(V2/V1)
Or
W = nRT ln(P1/P2)

V1 V2 V
Terms used in Thermodynamics

Adiabatic Wall

The wall which prevent the

passage of matter and energy.

Diathermic wall

It prevent the passage of matter

but allow the passage of energy.

For example aluminium can

Its walls are diathermic.
Adiabatic Process

An adiabatic process is one in which

pressure, volume and temperature of the
system change but heat is not exchanged
between system and surroundings.

dQ = 0
Adiabatic Process Relationship between P & V
in Adiabatic Process

PVγ = constant
γ = CP/CV = const
Adiabatic Process γ = CP/CV = const
Adiabatic Process

PVγ = constant

Vγ-1 T = constant

V1 V2 V

P1-γ Tγ = constant
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

A gas expands adiabatically at constant pressure such that

its temperature T ∝ 1/√V , The value of Cp/CV of gas is

A. 1.30
B. 1.50
C. 1.67
D. 2.00
Work done in Adiabatic Process
dW = pdV
P, V, T
PVγ = constant

dx
Work done in Adiabatic Process

V1 V2 V
Adiabatic Process PVγ = constant

P
(P1V1 - P2V2)
W=
(γ- 1)
Or
nR(T1- T2)
W=
(γ- 1)
V1 V2 V
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

One mole of a diatomic gas, which is initially at a temperature

T0, is adiabatically compressed such that its pressure becomes
10 times. Work done on the gas is -

A. RTo (10)2/7
B. - RTo (10)2/7
C. 5/2 RTo (102/7 - 1)
D. - 5/2 RTo (102/7 - 1)
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

Match the column

Column I Column II

A. Isothermal P. ΔU = 0
B. Isobaric Q. Q=0
C. Isochoric R. W=0
D. Adiabatic free expansions S. ΔU = nCV ΔT
Summary of Four gas processes

Some results
Constant Process
Path ΔU = Q-W and ΔU = nCv ΔT or all paths
quantity type

1. P Isobaric Q = nCpΔT ; W = PΔV

2. T Isothermal ΔU = 0 ; Q = W = nRTln(Vf/Vi)

3. PVγ, TVγ-1 Adiabatic Q = 0; W = -ΔU

4. V Isochoric Q = ΔU = nCv ΔT; W = 0

Slope of Isothermal process

T = constant PV = constant

V1 V2 V
Slope of Adiabatic process

dQ = 0
PVγ = constant
P

V1 V2 V
Comparison of slopes of Isothermal and Adiabatic process

dQ = 0 PVγ = constant
dP P
P =-
V
dV isothermal

dP P
= -γ
dV V
adiabatic

V1 V2 V Slope of
adiabatic curve = γ × slope of
isothermal curve
PV = constant
Since γ > 1, so slope of adiabatic always be
greater than slope of isothermal curve.
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

In the following figure, four curves A, B, C and D are shown.

The curves are

A. Isothermal for A and D while adiabatic for B and C

B. Adiabatic for A and C while isothermal for B and D
C. Isothermal for A and B while adiabatic for C and D
D. Isothermal for A and C while adiabatic for B and D
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

P-V plots for two gases during adiabatic processes are shown in
figure. Plots 1 and 2 should correspond respectively to.

P A. He and O2
1 B. O2 and He

2
C. He and Ar
D. O2 and N2
V
Quasi–static Process

Quasi–static is a thermodynamic process

which proceeds extremely slowly
such that at every instant of time,
the temperature and pressure
are the same in all parts of the system.
Reversible Process

Any process which can return to its initial state of

thermodynamical variables at each stage of variation
as it proceeds is called reversible process.
A
P

(i) The process must be quasi-static.

(ii) The dissipative forces such as
viscosity, friction etc. must be absent.
(iii) The work done in complete cycle will be zero.
Irreversible process

A process is said to be irreversible if it cannot be

retracted back exactly in the opposite direction.

During an irreversible process, work is always done

to overcome friction. Energy is also dissipated in
the form of conduction and radiation.
Irreversible Process

Reversible process Irreversible process

1. The process is carried out 1. It is carried out rapidly.

infinitesimally slowly.

2. At any stage, the 2. Equilibrium may exist

equilibrium is not only after the completion
disturbed. of the process.

3. It takes infinite time for 3. It takes finite time for

completion. completion.
Free Expansion

If a gas expands in such a way that

no heat enters or leaves the system and also
no work is done by or on the system, then
the expansion is called the “free expansion”.

This case easily possible if gas is

allowed to expands in vacuum.
Free Expansion
Consider two insulated vessels, one contains a
gas and other is evacuated. When stop-cock is
opened, the gas rushes into the evacuated
vessel and expand freely.

As process is sudden (adiabatic)

so Q = 0,

also gas expands freely, so

W = PΔV = 0 × ΔV = 0.

From first law of thermodynamics

Q = ΔU + W or 0 = ΔU + 0 Hence ΔU = 0

Thus in free expansion internal energy of the gas will not change.
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

For free expansion of the gas which of the following is true

A. Q = W = 0 and ΔEint = 0
B. Q = 0, W > 0 and ΔEint = –W
C. W = 0, Q > 0 and ΔEint = Q
D. W > 0, Q < 0 and ΔEint = 0
Daily Practice Problems
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

The internal energy of an ideal gas decreases by the same

amount as the work done by the system

A. The process must isothermal

B. The process must be adiabatic
C. The process must isobaric
D. the temperature of the system must increase

Ans: B
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

Initial pressure and volume of a gas are P and V respectively.

First it is expanded isothermally to volume 4V and then
compressed adiabatically to volume V. The final pressure of gas
will be
A. 1P
B. 2P
C. 4P
D. 8P

Ans: B
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

The ratio of specific heat of a gas at constant pressure to

that at constant volume is γ. The change in internal energy
of a mass of gas when the volume changes from V to 2V at
constant pressure P is -
A. B. PV

C. D.

Ans: C
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

Three samples of the same gas A , B and C (γ = 3/2) have

initially equal volume. Now the volume of each sample in
doubled. The process is adiabatic for A isobaric for B and
isothermal for C. If the final pressures are equal for all three
samples, the ratio of their initial pressures are -

A. 2√2: 2 : 1
B. 2√2 : 1 : 2
C. √2 : 1 : 2
D. 2 : 1 : √2

Ans: B
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

Two samples A and B of a gas initially at the same pressure

and temperature are compressed from volume V to V/2
(A isothermally and B adiabatically). The final pressure of A is -

A. Greater than the final pressure of B

B. Equal to the final pressure of B
C. Less than the final pressure of B
D. Twice the final pressure of B

Ans: C
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

In the P-V diagram of figure shown, the gas does 5J of work

along isotherm ab and 4J along adiabatic bc. What is the
change in the internal energy of the gas if the gas traverse
the straight path form a to c ?

A. 1 J B. 4J

C. 5J D. 9J

Ans: A
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

A gas undergoes a process according to the graph. P is

pressure, V is volume, W is work done by the gas, ΔU is
change in internal energy of the gas and ΔQ is heat given to
the system
Column-I Column -II
A. For process AB P. ΔU > 0, ΔQ > 0
B. For process BC Q. ΔU < 0, ΔQ < 0
C. For process CD R. ΔQ ×ΔU × W = 0
D. For process DA S. ΔQ × ΔU < 0

Ans: (A) → p, r; (B) → p; (C) → q, r; (D) → q

Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

A ideal gas is undergoing following thermodynamic cycle,

consisting of isobaric, isothermal and adiabatic.
The corresponding PT curve is : (approx.)

A. B.

C. D. None

Ans: B
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]

A cyclic process ABCD is shown in the figure. Which of the

curves show the same process ?

A. B.

C. D.

Ans: B
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