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Are all Quasi-static Processes Reversible?
- Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- A process, carried out in a stepwise manner, becomes quasi-static when the number of intermediate steps tends to infinity. Usually, the net entropy production approaches zero under this limiting condition. Hence, such cases are termed reversible. A favorite example is the introduction of an infinite number of intermediate-temperature reservoirs in between the source and the sink for a non-isothermal heat transfer process. We analyze the situation and conclude that such quasi-static processes are not reversible. Indeed, no non-isothermal heat transfer process can ever be made reversible due to an extraneous work term.<br />Comment: 11 pages
- Subjects :
- Physics - Chemical Physics
Condensed Matter - Statistical Mechanics
Subjects
Details
- Database :
- arXiv
- Publication Type :
- Report
- Accession number :
- edsarx.0911.5010
- Document Type :
- Working Paper