Re: adiabaticity and reversibility

[Leigh Palmer <palmer@SFU.CA>]

> At 13:32 17 01 2000 -0800, Leigh wrote:
> > speed approaches zero. "Adiabatic" refers to the ideal of nontransfer
> > of heat. "Adiabatic demagnetization", for example, refers to the
> .....
> > is that it is carried out sufficiently quickly that exchange of heat
> > with the walls of the container during the process can be neglected.
>
> Leigh would likely much prefer to have said this without having "heat" move
> or even better without using the evil, four-letter word at all.
>
> Let's see if he can do it. (:-)

I find it convenient to speak in the caloric metaphor, but I could
simply say that the gas has negligible interaction with the walls
of the container. In my opinion it is alright to use the metaphor
if your heart is pure, and surely no one here would doubt me!

Leigh