What is the difference between an adiabatic expansion and isothermal expansion ??

Isothermal process is a thermodynamic process in which the temperature of the system (like a gas etc.) does not change as it goes from one state to another. If the gas compresses (or its volume is decreased) during such a process than it is known as isothermal compression. However, if the gas expands (or its volume is increased) then the process is known as isothermal expansion.

Adiabatic process is a thermodynamic process in which no heat transfer takes place between the system (gas etc.) under consideration and its surroundings as it goes from one state to another. If the gas compresses (or its volume is decreased) during such a process than it is known as adiabatic compression. However, if the gas expands (or its volume is increased) then the process is known as adiabatic expansion.

 

So, the major difference between isothermal and adiabatic process is that temperature remains constant in the former while total energy (heat) remains constant in the other. 

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