Definition

1. Noun:
   • A thermodynamic process occurring without heat transfer: An "adiabatic process" is a change in the state of a thermodynamic system where no heat is exchanged with the surroundings. The system's internal energy changes solely due to work done on or by the system.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The rapid compression of air in a bicycle pump is a good approximation of an adiabatic process.
  • In meteorology, the rising and cooling of an air parcel is often modeled as an adiabatic process.

Advanced Usage

• "Reversible adiabatic process": An idealized process that is both adiabatic and reversible, meaning it occurs infinitely slowly with no entropy change.
  • The Carnot cycle includes two reversible adiabatic processes.
• "Adiabatic expansion/compression": Specific terms describing an adiabatic process where a gas expands or is compressed.
  • The adiabatic expansion of the gas caused its temperature to drop significantly.

Variants and Related Words

• Adiabatic (adj): Of, relating to, or being a process that occurs without heat transfer.
  • The chamber's walls are designed to be adiabatic.
• Adiabatically (adv): In an adiabatic manner.
  • The gas was compressed adiabatically.

Synonyms

• Isentropic process: (In the specific case of a reversible adiabatic process, as entropy remains constant.)

Related Phrases

• Adiabatic lapse rate: The rate at which atmospheric temperature decreases with height under adiabatic conditions.
  • The dry adiabatic lapse rate is a fundamental concept in atmospheric science.
• Adiabatic flame temperature: The theoretical temperature that would be attained by the products of combustion if the process occurred without any heat loss.
  • Engineers calculate the adiabatic flame temperature to assess combustion efficiency.

Noun

1. (thermodynamics) any process that occurs without gain or loss of heat