Quasi-static process

If a physical process is carried out in such a way that it can only be viewed as a sequence of states of equilibrium , this process is called quasi-static or quasi-stationary . The time scale on which a quasi-static process takes place must therefore be much slower than the period in which an equilibrium is established (the relaxation time ):

${\displaystyle \tau _{\text{quasistatisch}}\gg \tau _{\text{relaxation}}}$.

For this reason, quasi-static processes are sometimes also referred to as “infinitely slow”, which, however, gives the wrong impression that they are completely impractical or that they would take forever.

Although a respective state of equilibrium largely prevails at each point in time of the process, one goal of the process or the attempt is generally nevertheless to obtain different states or a characteristic curve . I.e. the equilibrium state at time t ₁ can differ considerably from the equilibrium state at time t ₂ . It should only be excluded that dynamic processes such. B. (shock) waves, have a significant influence on the results.

In thermodynamics ( Carnot cycle ) and in mechanics ( tensile test ), quasi-static processes as idealized changes of state play a major role.

See also

• thermodynamic process
• Bodenstein's principle of quasi-stationarity
• Reversible process

Individual evidence

1. ^ Matthias Bartelmann : Theoretical Physics. Springer Spectrum, Berlin 2015, ISBN 978-3-642-54617-4 , pp. 1096f.