Isochoric process
An
isochoric process, also called an
isometric process, is a
thermodynamic process in which the volume stays constant; . This implies that the process does no pressure-volume
work, since such work is defined by
- ,
where P is pressure (no minus sign; this is work done
by the system).
By applying the first law of thermodynamics, we can deduce that
-
for an isochoric process: all the heat being transferred to the system is added to the system's internal energy. If the quantity of gas stays constant, then this increase in energy is proportional to an increase in temperature,
-
where C
V is molar specific heat for constant volume.
On a P-V diagram, an isochoric process appears as a straight vertical line.
See also: isobaric process, isothermal process, adiabatic process, cyclic process.