Which thermodynamic process produces maximum work

Summary

The fundamental is the value of change in internal energy dU in different thermodynamic processes such as isothermal, isobaric, and adiabatic makes the difference in the work produced by each of these processes. There is a gain in internal energy in the isobaric process, there is no change in internal energy in the isothermal process and there is a decrease in internal energy in the adiabatic process. This Isobaric process work > Isothermal process work > Adiabatic process work.

Explanation:

A change in internal energy can result in a change in work done. According to the first law of thermodynamics, the change in internal energy of a system is equal to the heat supplied to the system minus the work done by the system: ΔU = Q - W Here, ΔU represents the change in internal energy, Q represents the heat supplied to the system, and W represents the work done by the system. If there is a change in internal energy (ΔU), it means that either heat (Q) or work (W) or both are involved. If ΔU is positive, it implies an increase in internal energy, which can be due to the system absorbing heat or work being done on the system. If ΔU is negative, it implies a decrease in internal energy, which can be due to heat being transferred out of the system or work being done by the system. Therefore, a change in internal energy can indeed result in a change in work done.

?Details

W=∫PdV

where?∫PdV?is simply the area enclosed by the?P?V?curve under the volume axis.

For the given curve, it may be observed that the area enclosed by the isobaric process is maximum followed by the isothermal, adiabatic, and Isochoric processes.

Since for the same amount of expansion,

?Area Isobaric > Area Isothermal > Area Adiabatic > Area Isochoric

Explanation

Isothermal process

In?thermodynamics, an?isothermal process?is a type of?thermodynamic process in which the?temperature T?of a system remains constant: ΔT?= 0. This typically occurs when a system is in contact with an outside?thermal reservoir, and a change in the system occurs slowly enough to allow the system to be continuously adjusted to the temperature of the?reservoir through?heat exchange. In the isothermal process, the change in internal energy dU= 0

Isobaric process

An?isobaric process occurs at constant pressure. Heat is externally supplied to maintain constant pressure.

The supplied heat in addition to doing work adds to internal energy.

Thus dU > 0 in the isobaric process [ positive]

Adiabatic process

An?adiabatic process is a process in which there is no matter or heat transfer because a?thermally insulating wall?separates the system from its surroundings.

dQ =0

The system performs work at the expense of internal energy, dU < 0 in adiabatic process [ negative]

Conclusion

Therefore, to sum up, an isobaric process produces maximum work as it internal energy increases. This is followed by the isothermal process where the change in internal energy remains constant. Next comes the adiabatic process where there is a negative change in internal energy.

This is what you can see in the image,

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