Polytropic Process Review Thermodynamics

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Polytropic Process Review

When a gas undergoes a reversible process in which there is heat transfer, the process frequently takes place in such a manner that a plot of the Log P (pressure) vs. Log V (volume) is a straightline. Or stated in equation form PVn = a constant.

This type of process is called a polytropic process. An example of a polytropic process is the expansion of the combustion gasses in the cylinder of a water-cooled reciprocating engine.