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arxiv: 0911.5010 · v1 · submitted 2009-11-26 · ⚛️ physics.chem-ph · cond-mat.stat-mech

Are all Quasi-static Processes Reversible?

classification ⚛️ physics.chem-ph cond-mat.stat-mech
keywords reversibleprocessquasi-staticheatnon-isothermalnumberprocessestransfer
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A process, carried out in a stepwise manner, becomes quasi-static when the number of intermediate steps tends to infinity. Usually, the net entropy production approaches zero under this limiting condition. Hence, such cases are termed reversible. A favorite example is the introduction of an infinite number of intermediate-temperature reservoirs in between the source and the sink for a non-isothermal heat transfer process. We analyze the situation and conclude that such quasi-static processes are not reversible. Indeed, no non-isothermal heat transfer process can ever be made reversible due to an extraneous work term.

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