What occurs in an adiabatic process?

In an adiabatic process, temperature changes in the system occur without any heat exchange with the surroundings—this means that no thermal energy is added or removed. This can happen during rapid processes, where there isn’t enough time for heat transfer to occur, or in insulated systems where heat cannot enter or leave. As a result, any work done on or by the system directly affects the internal energy, leading to a change in temperature.

Understanding that the defining characteristic of an adiabatic process is the absence of heat transfer is essential. For instance, if a gas expands adiabatically, it does work on its surroundings, losing internal energy and thus leading to a decrease in temperature. Conversely, if work is done on the gas during compression, its internal energy increases, resulting in a rise in temperature.

This fundamental principle of thermodynamics is crucial in various applications, such as in engines and refrigeration cycles, where the behavior of gases under adiabatic conditions is exploited to maximize efficiency.