Chapter 2, Problem 2.6CP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:Whether the value of q, w and ΔU is positive, negative or zero needs to be determined for a cup of water at 278 K which is placed in microwave for 1 min and water starts boiling.

Concept Introduction: In thermodynamics, a reversible process can be defined as the process which can be reversed to its original state.

Hence in reversible processes, both the system and surroundings are returned to their initial states. In general all reversible processes are ideal processes and cannot occur naturally.

On the contrary, an irreversible process cannot come back to its initial condition. All spontaneous processes in nature are irreversible processes.

In an adiabatic process the heat change is zero therefore the work done will be equal to the change in the internal energy.