Class 11 Physics simulations · Thermodynamics

Adiabatic compression and expansion

Move an insulated piston and trade mechanical work with the gas’s internal energy.

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What to notice

Compression raises temperature without heat entering the gas. Expansion cools it while the gas does work.

Key relation

PVᵞ = constant; TVᵞ⁻¹ = constant

Try this

Switch between half and twice the initial volume.

What you can change

• Final / initial volume: 0.5 to 2 ×
• Initial temperature: 250 to 500 K
• Heat-capacity ratio: choose Diatomic gas, γ = 1.4, Monatomic gas, γ = 5/3

More in Thermodynamics

• Carnot heat engine
• First law of thermodynamics
• Heating gas at constant pressure
• Entropy in isothermal expansion
• Petrol engine (Otto cycle)
• Work from a rectangular P–V cycle
• Refrigerator and heat pump
• Gas under a piston

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