Pressure-Volume (PV) diagrams
Definition
Pressure-volume diagrams are graphical representations used to analyze changes in pressure and volume for gases during thermodynamic processes. They show how these properties vary as gas expands or contracts.
Analogy
Imagine blowing up a balloon. As you blow air into it, both its volume and pressure increase. When you release the air, the volume decreases and so does the pressure. A PV diagram helps visualize these changes.
Related terms
Adiabatic Process: An adiabatic process is one in which no heat is exchanged between a system and its surroundings.
Isothermal Process: An isothermal process occurs when the temperature of a system remains constant throughout a change.
Compression Ratio: The compression ratio is the ratio of the volume of a gas at its initial state to its final state in an engine cycle.
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