Question

Which of the following would be an irreversible process?

a) Adiabatically compressing an ideal gas with an external pressure that equals the internal pressure

b) Allowing an ideal gas in a piston to expand isothermally against a constant pressure

c) Boiling an aqueous salt solution at a temperature where its vapor pressure equals the external pressure

d) Adding heat to a glass of ice water at 0°C so that some of the ice melts

Answer 1

C

Boiling an aqueous salt solution at a temperature where its vapor pressure equals the external pressure is an irreversible process.