Thermodynamic Process and their types

The operation by which a system changes form one state to another is called a process. Whenever a system changes from one state to another it is accompanied by change in energy. In case of open systems, there may be change of matter as well.

The following types of process are known:

Isothermal process

A process is said to be isothermal if the temperature of the system remains constant during each stage of the process.

Adiabatic process

A process is said to be adiabatic if the heat enters or leaves the system during any step of the process.

Isobaric process

A process is said to be isobaric if the pressure of the system remains constant during each step of the process.

Sample problem: Thermodynamics is concerned with

(A) total energy in a system            (B) energy changes in a system

(C) rate of a chemical change          (D) mass changes in nuclear reactions

Solution: (B)