What is the Difference Between Adiabatic and Polytropic?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between adiabatic and polytropic processes lies in the heat transfer and work transfer involved in each process.
- Adiabatic Process: In an adiabatic process, no heat is transferred into or out of the system. However, work can still be transferred to or from the system, such as when a gas is compressed or expanded by a piston. The key equation for adiabatic processes is dQ = 0, where dQ represents the change in heat.
- Polytropic Process: A polytropic process involves both heat transfer and work transfer. During this process, the pressure-volume product (PV) to the power of n remains constant, where P is the pressure, V is the volume, and n is a constant. The key equation for polytropic processes is PV^n = constant, where n is a real number.
In summary, the main difference between adiabatic and polytropic processes is the nature of heat transfer involved in each process. Adiabatic processes involve no heat transfer, while polytropic processes involve both heat transfer and work transfer.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Adiabatic and Polytropic? Comparative Table: Adiabatic vs Polytropic
Comparative Table: Adiabatic vs Polytropic
Here is a table comparing the differences between adiabatic and polytropic processes:
| Property | Adiabatic | Polytropic |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Transfer | No heat transfer occurs | Heat transfer and work transfer can occur |
| Work Transfer | No work transfer occurs | Work transfer can occur |
| Equation | Not applicable (adiabatic processes don't have a specific equation) | $$PV^n = \text{constant}$$ where n is a constant |
| Non-Adiabatic | Adiabatic processes are adiabatic (no heat transfer) | Polytropic processes are non-adiabatic (heat transfer can occur) |
| Real-World Applications | Often used as a simplifying assumption for rapidly acting systems or to obtain conservative estimates | Most practical thermodynamic processes can be considered polytropic with values ranging between the theoretical limits of 1 and 1.4 |
The key difference between adiabatic and polytropic processes is that in adiabatic processes, no heat transfer occurs, while in polytropic processes, both heat transfer and work transfer can occur.
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