Describe some of the characteristics that make the following processes irreversible:

(a) liquid water flowing through a pipe;
(b) a block of lead being melted from the heat of a furnace;
(c) air being compressed isothermally in a piston-cylinder assembly;
(d) hydrogen and oxygen reacting to form water.

What will be an ideal response?


Some features which make each case irreversible:
(a) Friction between the water and the pipe; viscosity of the water resulting in internal frictional losses
(b) Heat transfer over a finite temperature difference; phase change of the lead
(c) Heat transfer over a finite temperature difference (heat must be removed during compression to keep the process isothermal; friction between the piston and the cylinder.
(d) Mixing process between the hydrogen and oxygen; chemical reaction which will release heat; heat transfer over a finite temperature difference (between water and surroundings)

Trades & Technology

You might also like to view...

While discussing electronically controlled transmissions, Technician A says as that line pressure is controlled by a pulse width modulated solenoid. Technician B says that the solenoid is controlled by the PCM. Who is correct?

A. Technician A B. Technician B C. Both A and B D. Neither A nor B

Trades & Technology

Coolant drained from the cooling system when replacing a thermostat or water pump should be ________

A) Disposed of properly or recycled B) Reused C) Filtered and reinstalled after the repair D) Poured down a toilet

Trades & Technology

Gravity bleeding is most effective ________

A) On systems that have residual pressure check valves B) When speed is important C) On systems that trap small pockets of air D) On antilock systems

Trades & Technology

Describe the two groups that LEO satellites can be divided into.

What will be an ideal response?

Trades & Technology