During an adiabatic process, what occurs regarding energy transfer?

During an adiabatic process, what occurs regarding energy transfer?

• A. Energy is absorbed as heat
• B. Energy is released as heat
• C. No energy as heat is transferred
• D. Energy is lost to the surroundings

Answer: (C)

In an adiabatic process, by definition, there is no heat exchange between the system and its surroundings. This means that the system is thermally insulated, preventing any energy transfer as heat. Instead, any changes in the internal energy of the system are exclusively due to work done on or by the system. During processes like gas compression or expansion that occur adiabatically, the temperature of the gas might change, but this change is strictly due to the work interaction and not due to heat transfer. Hence, the correct understanding aligns with the assertion that no energy as heat is transferred during an adiabatic process.

In an adiabatic process, by definition, there is no heat exchange between the system and its surroundings. This means that the system is thermally insulated, preventing any energy transfer as heat. Instead, any changes in the internal energy of the system are exclusively due to work done on or by the system. During processes like gas compression or expansion that occur adiabatically, the temperature of the gas might change, but this change is strictly due to the work interaction and not due to heat transfer. Hence, the correct understanding aligns with the assertion that no energy as heat is transferred during an adiabatic process.