What is an isothermal process with an example?

1 Answer
Jul 31, 2016

An isothermal process is one for which Delta"T" = 0, where Delta"T" is the temperature change of the system.

Explanation:

Consider a phase change under constant temperature, as induced by a pressure change. Consulting any phase diagram will show you that multiple phases, or even allotropes, of a species may exist at a given temperature "T". Let's take the phase diagram of carbon, with main allotropes of graphite and diamond, as an example.

Theoretical phase diagram of carbon. Source: WikipediaTheoretical phase diagram of carbon. Source: Wikipedia

This phase diagram demonstrates a triple point - conditions that cause a sample to exhibit three of its states of matter - at a pressure of 10.8 ± 0.2 "MPa" and a temperature of 4,600 ± 300 "K". Theoretically, if the temperature is controlled and pressure is varied either side of this point, one may freeze or evaporate the sample at will without temperature acting as a variable factor.

As a contrasting side note, a distinction can be made between an isothermal process and an adiabatic one. In the case of the latter heat cannot be transferred to or from the surroundings, although Delta"T" for the system may be a non-zero value as a result of work being done. On the other hand, the former specifies that Delta"T" = 0 within the system at all times, but this term also refers to setups in which there is a heat transfer that inhibits a net temperature change.