Question

Which of the following is/are contributing to the irreversibility of processes? This question has multiple correct options.
A. Flow of electric current through resistance
B. Unrestrained expansion of fluids
C. A quasi-static isothermal expansion of ideal gas
D. Spontaneous chemical reactions

Answer 1

Hint:There are two types of thermodynamic processes: reversible and irreversible. The reaction is reversible if it runs in a state of quasi-equilibrium all the time. The energy from work performed by or on the system would be maximised in an ideal thermodynamically reversible process, whereas the energy from heat would be zero.

Complete answer:
Irreversible processes, on the other hand, are the result of deviating from the curve, resulting in a reduction in overall work done; an irreversible process can be described as a thermodynamic process that deviates from equilibrium. The difference between reversible and actual labour for a process is defined as irreversibility.

A quasi-static process in thermodynamics is a thermodynamic process that occurs slowly enough for the system to maintain internal equilibrium. Quasi-static compression is an example of this, in which the volume of a system changes at a slow enough rate to keep the pressure uniform and constant across the system.As a result, option $C$ is the only reversible process.The remaining options, such as $A$, $B$, and $D$, are examples of irreversible processes.

Hence, the correct options are A,B and D.

Note:A reversible process's inverse is also a reversible process. When a reversible process is followed by a reverse process, the amounts of energy carried over the boundary via heat and work during the reversible process are fully recovered. This property of a reversible process is commonly expressed as "it is possible to return both the system and the local surroundings to their original states with no further changes anywhere" once a reversible change happens.