Isotermaalsed

Isotermaalsed refers to a thermodynamic process that occurs at a constant temperature. In such a process, the internal energy of an ideal gas remains constant because the internal energy of an ideal gas is solely dependent on its temperature. During an isothermal expansion, a gas absorbs heat from its surroundings to maintain a constant temperature as it does work. Conversely, during an isothermal compression, a gas releases heat to its surroundings as work is done on it.

The relationship between pressure and volume in an isothermal process for an ideal gas is described by Boyle's Law, which states that the product of pressure and volume is a constant (PV = k), assuming the temperature and the amount of gas are held constant. This means that as the volume of the gas increases, its pressure decreases proportionally, and vice versa. Isothermal processes are fundamental in understanding various thermodynamic cycles and are often idealized for theoretical analysis. Real-world processes may approach isothermal conditions under certain circumstances, such as slow changes or efficient heat exchange with the environment. The concept is crucial in fields like physics, chemistry, and engineering, particularly in the study of heat engines and refrigeration cycles.