Which of the following processes is an example of a reversible process ?

Explanation

Concept: Reversible process: A process is said to be reversible if its system as well as surrounding regains its initial state. Electrolysis: Electrolysis is the process by which ionic substances are decomposed (broken down) into simpler substances when an electric current is passed through them. Electricity is the flow of electrons or ions. For electrolysis to work, the compound must contain ions. Under conditions of electrolysis, the cell is operating away from its equilibrium (reversible) potentials determined from thermodynamics. Certain electrode reactions are very fast and depart very little from the equilibrium potential. Such reactions are frequently referred to as reversible. Reverse electrolysis can be used to put rust on ferrous metal. Additional Information Heat transfer: For a system that exchanges heat with its surroundings , a process can be reversible only if the temperatures of the system and the surroundings are arbitrarily close to one another. A system can undergo a reversible change adiabatically. Combustion: Combustion is a chemical process in which a substance reacts rapidly with oxygen and gives off heat and it is a highly irreversible process as one cannot produce combustible products again. Plastic deformation: Plastic deformation is the permanent distortion that occurs when a material is subjected to tensile, compressive, bending, or torsion stresses that exceed its yield strength and cause it to elongate, compress, buckle, bend, or twist. Therefore it is said to be an irreversible process as it is impossible to regain to original shape of raw material from permanent plastic deformation.