Answer:
Here are the definitions of the terms you mentioned in the context of thermodynamics, along with examples:
(i) Working fluid: A working fluid is a substance or medium used within a thermodynamic system to transfer energy or perform work. It is typically a gas or a liquid that undergoes a cyclical process within a thermodynamic device. Examples of working fluids include water in a steam power plant, refrigerants in a refrigerator or air conditioning system, and air in a gas turbine.
(ii) Cycle: A cycle in thermodynamics refers to a sequence of processes that a system undergoes and ultimately returns to its initial state. It represents a closed loop on a thermodynamic diagram, and the system properties follow a specific path during the cycle. Examples of cycles include the Carnot cycle, Rankine cycle (used in steam power plants), and Brayton cycle (used in gas turbines).
(iii) Intensive property: An intensive property is a characteristic of a substance or system that does not depend on the size or quantity of the system. It remains the same regardless of the amount of substance present. Examples of intensive properties include temperature, pressure, density, specific heat capacity, and chemical composition. For instance, the temperature of a gas remains the same regardless of the amount of gas present in the system.
(iv) Reversible process: A reversible process is an idealized thermodynamic process that can be reversed without leaving any trace on the surroundings or system. It is a process that occurs infinitely slowly, maintaining equilibrium at every step, and resulting in no net change in the system or its surroundings. In a reversible process, the system continuously adjusts to the changes in its surroundings, and it is an idealized concept. An example of a reversible process is an isothermal expansion or compression of an ideal gas, where the pressure and volume changes occur infinitesimally slowly, allowing the system to remain in thermal equilibrium with its surroundings throughout the process.
These terms are fundamental in thermodynamics and play a crucial role in understanding and analyzing the behavior of physical systems.