Difference Between Reversible And Irreversible Processes

When a system changes its state from one equilibrium state to another, the path of successive states through which the system has passed is called thermodynamic process. In thermodynamics, we discuss two types of processes namely reversible processes and irreversible processes. 

Comparation between reversible and irreversible processes
  1. The phenomenon of undergoing reversible changes is called "Reversibility". Whereas the phenomenon of undergoing irreversible changes is called "Irreversibility".
  2. Reversible process is an "Ideal Process" (i.e. an idealization of real processes because no process is reversible in nature) while all the "Natural Processes" are irreversible.
  3. A reversible process proceeds in both directions (i.e. forward and backward) while irreversible process proceeds in one direction only (i.e. in forward direction only).
  4. Reversible process takes infinite time for completion whereas irreversible process takes finite time for completion.
  5. Reversible processes are slow while irreversible reactions are fast. This is the reason that in reversible processes the system and its surroundings are in equilibrium with each other in every state whereas equilibrium cannot be achieved in irreversible processes.
  6. A reversible reaction can be brought back to the initial state without changing the external conditions. Whereas an irreversible process cannot be brought back to the initial state without changing the external conditions. 
  7. For reversible processes, the driving force is small whereas for irreversible processes, the driving force is large. 
  8. For reversible processes, infinite changes occur in the system while for Irreversible processes, finite changes occur in the system.
  9. Reversible process- slow isothermal expansion or compression of gases whereas Irreversible process- free expansion of ideal gas.
  10. The work done in a reversible process is more than the work done in an irreversible process.
Points to be remembered 
(1) Reversible process is not really possible but we can reach towards reversibility by carrying out the process very slowly.
(2) In the case of an irreversible process, the state of equilibrium cannot be achieved at any moment.
(3) All spontaneous processes (spontaneous processes are those processes that occur at any instant in time) are irreversible in nature.

Reversible And Irreversible Process???
Reversible Process: The thermodynamics process which can be reversed back to its original state is called reversible process.
Irreversible Process: The thermodynamic process which can not be reversed back to its original state is called an irreversible process.


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