What is a constant volume process referred to as?

In thermodynamics, a constant volume process is referred to as an isochoric process. During an isochoric process, the volume of the system remains unchanged while heat is added or removed, leading to changes in pressure and temperature. This characteristic is crucial in understanding how certain systems behave under specific conditions.

For example, in a closed container where gas is heated, the temperature of the gas will increase without any change in volume, demonstrating the principles behind isochoric processes. This is fundamental in several applications involving gases, particularly in engines and refrigeration cycles, where understanding how heat transfer affects pressure at constant volume is essential.

The other terms relate to different types of thermodynamic processes: isobaric means constant pressure, isothermal refers to constant temperature, and adiabatic involves no heat exchange with the surroundings. Each of these processes has its own unique implications in thermal systems, but for a process defined solely by maintained volume, isochoric is the correct term.