What characterizes an isobaric process in thermodynamics?

What characterizes an isobaric process in thermodynamics?

• A. The volume remains constant
• B. The temperature remains constant
• C. The pressure remains constant
• D. The energy output is constant

Answer: (C)

An isobaric process in thermodynamics is defined by the condition that the pressure of the system remains constant throughout the entire process. This means that any changes occurring in the system, such as changes in volume and temperature, must happen without any change in pressure. For example, if a gas is heated in a piston, it can expand, doing work on the piston while its pressure stays the same. The work done by the gas and the heat added will be related, allowing for an easier calculation of variables like temperature and volume using the first law of thermodynamics. In contrast, scenarios where volume remains constant describe an isochoric process, and processes with constant temperature are termed isothermal. The notion of constant energy output does not specifically correspond to a recognized thermodynamic process. Thus, the defining characteristic of an isobaric process is the constancy of pressure.

An isobaric process in thermodynamics is defined by the condition that the pressure of the system remains constant throughout the entire process. This means that any changes occurring in the system, such as changes in volume and temperature, must happen without any change in pressure.

For example, if a gas is heated in a piston, it can expand, doing work on the piston while its pressure stays the same. The work done by the gas and the heat added will be related, allowing for an easier calculation of variables like temperature and volume using the first law of thermodynamics.

In contrast, scenarios where volume remains constant describe an isochoric process, and processes with constant temperature are termed isothermal. The notion of constant energy output does not specifically correspond to a recognized thermodynamic process. Thus, the defining characteristic of an isobaric process is the constancy of pressure.