Resumen de Compression of an ideal gas as a classroom example of reversible and irreversible processes
The distinction between reversible and irreversible compression of an ideal gas in a cylinder with africtionless piston is analyzed quantitatively .Reversible compression is achieved by moving smallmasses appropriately distributed vertically onto the piston as it descends and compresses the gas .Inthe past, this example has been used pedagogically in qualitative form only .Reversibility isdemonstrated in several ways, most notably by showing the equality of the work done on the systemand the work done by the surroundings.
