An isobaric process is a thermodynamic process during which the pressure of a system remains constant. In other words, the system undergoes changes in volume and temperature, but the pressure remains the same throughout the process.
The term “isobaric” is derived from the Greek words “iso,” meaning equal, and “baros,” meaning pressure.
Pressure of the gas = Constant
Daily Life Examples
| Example | Description | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking in a Pressure Cooker | Constant pressure inside the pressure cooker while cooking, allowing faster cooking at elevated pressure. | The pressure is maintained, affecting the temperature and volume changes. |
| Boiling Water in an Open Pot | Constant atmospheric pressure while boiling water; temperature increases as water changes to vapor. | Atmospheric pressure remains constant during the phase transition, influencing temperature and volume. |
| Inflating a Balloon | Increasing volume while maintaining roughly constant pressure inside the balloon during inflation. | As the balloon expands, the pressure inside stays relatively constant, impacting temperature. |
| Gas Cylinder Usage | Using compressed gases in cylinders, such as propane or medical oxygen, involves maintaining constant pressure. | Pressure is kept constant as the gas is released or used, influencing volume and temperature . |
| Car Tires | Maintaining recommended pressure in car tires involves adjusting the volume of air to keep pressure constant. | Adjusting the volume of air in the tire to maintain a constant pressure, affecting temperature. |
| Chemical Reactions in Open Containers | Some chemical reactions in open containers occur at constant atmospheric pressure, resembling isobaric processes. | Pressure is roughly constant during the reaction, influencing temperature and volume. |
Numerical Form
For an isobaric process, where the pressure (P) is constant, the mathematical equation that relates the initial and final states of the system involves the ideal gas law. The ideal gas law is given by:
PV=nRT
Where:
- P is the pressure of the gas (constant in an isobaric process).
- V is the volume of the gas.
- n is the number of moles of the gas.
- R is the ideal gas constant.
- T is the temperature of the gas.
For an isobaric process, the pressure (P) is constant, so we can express the ideal gas law as:
V1/T1=V2/T2
Here, V1 and T1 are the initial volume and temperature, and V2 and T2 are the final volume and temperature, respectively.
