Moderate

An ideal gas is allowed to expand both reversibly and irreversibly in an isolated system. If Ti is the initial temperature and Tf is the final temperature, which of the following statements is correct?

Correct answer: D. (Tf)irreversible > (Tf)reversible

  • A. Tf > Ti for reversible process but Tf = Ti for irreversible process.
  • B. (Tf)reversible = (Tf)irreversible
  • C. Tf = Ti for both reversible and irreversible processes
  • D. (Tf)irreversible > (Tf)reversible

Explanation

During the irreversible expansion of an ideal gas in an isolated system (free expansion), the temperature decreases. In reversible expansion, the temperature remains the same. So, the final temperature is higher in the irreversible process compared to the reversible process.

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About System, Surroundings and State Functions

A system is the part of the universe under study, while everything outside it is the surroundings; the boundary separates them. State functions such as pressure, temperature, volume, internal energy and enthalpy depend only on the state, unlike heat and work, which depend on the path taken.

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