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Difference Between Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes

Find the difference between Isothermal and Adiabatic processes and learn about this thermodynamics concept with practical examples applied in day-to-day lives.

Krati Saraswat27 May, 2025

Difference Between Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes Overview

The difference between Isothermal and Adiabatic processes in terms of thermodynamic terminology is simple. In an adiabatic process, there won’t be any heat exchange from the surroundings during expansion or compression. In an Isothermal process, on the other hand, the temperature remains the same throughout. Thermodynamics primarily explains the relationship between heat energy and other energy forms. To learn how the energy in the thermal form gets converted into different forms, you must get a basic idea about Isothermal and Adiabatic concepts and differences.

NEET Physics Syllabus	NEET Physics Important Questions with Answers
NEET Physics Chapter wise Weightage	NEET Physics MCQs
NEET Physics Notes	NEET Physics Formulas

Difference Between Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes

The below table clearly explains the difference between Isothermal and Adiabatic concepts :

Difference between Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes
S.No	Parameter	Isothermal	Adiabatic
1.	Description	It is the thermodynamic process that will happen when the temperature is constant, i.e., when there won’t be any change in the temperature.	It is a thermodynamic process that occurs only when there won’t be any heat transfer between the system and the surrounding environment.
2.	Transfer of heat	The transfer of heat takes place.	There won’t be any kind of heat transfer.
3.	Pressure and volume	The pressure in this type of process is higher compared to its volume.	The pressure will be less compared to its volume.
4.	Temperature	The temperature does not change throughout the thermodynamic process.	The temperature keeps changing with the change in the temperature of the internal system.
5.	Heat	You can maintain the same temperature by adding or dissipating excess heat.	You do not have to add or dissipate heat, you do not need to maintain the same temperature throughout this process.
6.	Transfer rate	The rate of transformation is slower.	The transformation takes place in no time.
7.	Efficiency	Efficiency is low.	Efficiency is high.
8.	Work done	Does less work.	Does more work.
9.	Process speed	The process is slow.	The process is swift.

The above list shows the differences between Isothermal and Adiabatic processes

Thermodynamics involves the transfer of heat and energy. You can learn about both Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes in this article.

Adiabatic and Isothermal Process

As per thermodynamics, the Isothermal process is a type of thermodynamic process wherein the temperature (T) will remain constant, i.e., T=0. When a system gets in touch with the external thermal reservoir, the system takes enough time to adjust to the temperature of this external thermal reservoir through a heat exchange process. On the flip side, an adiabatic process is where the system does not exchange heat from its surrounding environment. In an Isothermal process, the gas expands slowly while the temperature is constant. It is attained by dissipating heat from the system to balance work done by gas.

Adiabatic and Isothermal conditions

The Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes Overview conditions are the same. The adiabatic process occurs when there is a quick change in the system, such as a piston-cylinder system with an insulated wall. It prevents the exchange of heat from surroundings by creating adiabatic conditions. The Isothermal process will happen when the system gets in touch with the reservoir. Both maintain the same temperature throughout the process.

Adiabatic and Isothermal work

The work differs in adiabatic and Isothermal processes. In the adiabatic process, the system does the job of changing the internal energy. The work is directly proportional to the internal energy in the Isothermal processes.

Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes at the same time

It is interesting to note that sometimes, both Isothermal and Adiabatic processes take place at the same time. You can learn the best examples of how both methods work simultaneously in the physics courses available with Physics Wallah. The models explained in this course will let you solve all the complicated questions asked in NEET. Both isothermal and adiabatic processes happen during the irreversible process. The best examples of when both these processes happen are Joule-Thompson expansion and free expansion of gas. In both these scenarios, the two processes will happen simultaneously.

What is an Isothermal Process?

Isothermal is a thermodynamic process where the system temperature will not change at any time. However, the heat transfer into and out of the system will happen slowly to maintain thermal equilibrium. Though other factors like pressure, heat, and volume may change, the temperature will remain the same throughout the process. In Isothermal, Iso means the same, and thermal means heat. When there is any physical or chemical reaction, then there will be a change of heat in the system. In the Isothermal process, the heat transfer takes adequate time to maintain equilibrium. In this process, the temperature remains constant.

Therefore, there won’t be any change in the temperature throughout this thermodynamic process. However, the heat will be in motion. It means that the heat will enter the system and leave the system. Despite this happening, the temperature remains the same for the system. Everyone might be assuming that when the heat is transferred to the system, there will be a change in the temperature level. You can maintain the same temperature provided a few factors are met. If you fill the system with ideal gas, the initial and final temperatures will remain the same. According to Boyle’s law, the pressure is inversely proportional to volume. In this, the temperature will remain constant. Therefore, the Isothermal process will follow Boyle’s law. It works in sync with Joule’s second law. The law clearly states that the internal energy of gasses depends totally on the temperature passed. If there is no change in the temperature, then the internal energy will remain constant. The gasses will not have intermolecular forces. It will make the internal energy remain the same.

Explore -

What is an Adiabatic Process?

In this process, there won’t be any heat transfer from the system to the surroundings and vice versa. Furthermore, there is no heat transfer. However, it is still a part of the thermodynamic process since the energy will be in the internal system. The energy transfer happens in the work form. In this process, the temperature changes to keep the internal system at the right temperature. Another crucial thing to note is that there is no increase in entropy in the adiabatic process. If any process is happening within the thermal insulator, then it is known as adiabatic. The process takes place at a brisk pace to make sure that there is sufficient time for the transfer of heat. The crucial conditions for this process include:

No transfer of energy will take place.
The change will happen at a brisk rate.
Heat remains zero

The adiabatic process has two phenomena - expansion and compression. In the expansion phase, the system temperature changes, and the pressure remains constant. In compression, when the air inside increases, it increases the external work done. There won’t be any heat transfer or removal from and to the system and surroundings. When the temperature rises, the pressure also increases.

Examples of Isothermal Processes

Following are the best examples to learn about the Isothermal process practically:

Evaporation and melting

The evaporation and melting will change its state to liquid. These two will follow an isothermal process.

Refrigerator

The best example to explain the Isothermal process is the refrigerator. Many processes happen inside the refrigerator. However, this appliance keeps the temperature inside the same. Though you open and close the fridge door, the energy is transferred to the environment. Despite this, the temperature inside remains the same.

Carnot engine cycle

It is the best example of an industrial application. The first step in the Carnot cycle is expansion, where the work will be carried out on the environment with the system absorbing the heat. Despite this, the temperature of the system remains constant.

Heat pump

It is widely used to warm and cool the room inside the home. It is another crucial example of an Isothermal process where the heat is removed or added to the house while keeping the temperature constant.

Examples of the adiabatic process

Following are the best examples of the adiabatic process:

1. Ice on icebox: Nothing comes into the box when you store ice cubes in the ice box. Therefore, it makes the best example for adiabatic processes.

2. Pneumatic tire: Pneumatic tires are in the wheelchairs (or) office chairs will release the air. It is another critical example of the adiabatic process, where the gas is compressed to generate adequate heat.

3. Oscillation of pendulum: you can oscillate the pendulum in the vertical direction. It is the best example of adiabatic processes.

4. Device efficiency: The efficiency of various devices such as nozzles, compressors, and turbines is known as adiabatic efficiency. The adiabatic process is widely used in the manufacturing industry.

5. Quantum harmonic oscillator: The quantum harmonic oscillator is the best example of adiabatic processes. The two thermodynamic processes are fundamental concepts to learn with real-time examples.

One is a system where you get in touch with the thermal reservoir that changes the temperature slowly. The system comes to the temperature of the reservoir to maintain equilibrium. The other has no heat transmission between the system and surroundings. Both these processes will have unique traits and applications and are widely used in Physics and engineering.

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Difference Between Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes FAQs

How does the system heat change at a constant temperature?

If you have to change the heat content, it is essential to have a temperature gradient. Despite the system being in constant temperature, it can reject or accept the heat from its surroundings. The temperature of the surroundings can be different from the system temperature.

What are the key conditions of the Isothermal process?

Some conditions will define the Isothermal process. Those include - the system is well insulated from the surrounding weather. Due to this insulation, there won’t be any transfer of heat. The temperature change takes place rapidly while exchanging heat from the surrounding environment.

Which factor will remain constant in both adiabatic and Isothermal processes?

The temperature remains constant in the Isothermal process. On the other hand, the heat will remain the same in the system for adiabatic processes.

What is an Isothermal process with an example?

The Isothermal process is a kind of thermodynamic process wherein the temperature of the system will remain constant over some time. During this period, the process takes place. It is defined as a process where the temperature is constant. The best example is the melting point of ice at 0 degrees.

What are the four different types of thermodynamic processes in physics?

Four types of thermodynamic processes include - Isobaric, Isothermal, Isochoric, and adiabatic.

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Difference Between Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes Overview

NEET Physics Syllabus	NEET Physics Important Questions with Answers
NEET Physics Chapter wise Weightage	NEET Physics MCQs
NEET Physics Notes	NEET Physics Formulas

Difference Between Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes

The below table clearly explains the difference between Isothermal and Adiabatic concepts :

Difference between Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes
S.No	Parameter	Isothermal	Adiabatic
1.	Description	It is the thermodynamic process that will happen when the temperature is constant, i.e., when there won’t be any change in the temperature.	It is a thermodynamic process that occurs only when there won’t be any heat transfer between the system and the surrounding environment.
2.	Transfer of heat	The transfer of heat takes place.	There won’t be any kind of heat transfer.
3.	Pressure and volume	The pressure in this type of process is higher compared to its volume.	The pressure will be less compared to its volume.
4.	Temperature	The temperature does not change throughout the thermodynamic process.	The temperature keeps changing with the change in the temperature of the internal system.
5.	Heat	You can maintain the same temperature by adding or dissipating excess heat.	You do not have to add or dissipate heat, you do not need to maintain the same temperature throughout this process.
6.	Transfer rate	The rate of transformation is slower.	The transformation takes place in no time.
7.	Efficiency	Efficiency is low.	Efficiency is high.
8.	Work done	Does less work.	Does more work.
9.	Process speed	The process is slow.	The process is swift.

The above list shows the differences between Isothermal and Adiabatic processes

Thermodynamics involves the transfer of heat and energy. You can learn about both Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes in this article.

Adiabatic and Isothermal Process

Adiabatic and Isothermal conditions

Adiabatic and Isothermal work

Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes at the same time

What is an Isothermal Process?

Explore -

What is an Adiabatic Process?

No transfer of energy will take place.
The change will happen at a brisk rate.
Heat remains zero

Examples of Isothermal Processes

Following are the best examples to learn about the Isothermal process practically:

Evaporation and melting

The evaporation and melting will change its state to liquid. These two will follow an isothermal process.

Refrigerator

Carnot engine cycle

Heat pump

Examples of the adiabatic process

Following are the best examples of the adiabatic process:

1. Ice on icebox: Nothing comes into the box when you store ice cubes in the ice box. Therefore, it makes the best example for adiabatic processes.

3. Oscillation of pendulum: you can oscillate the pendulum in the vertical direction. It is the best example of adiabatic processes.

NEET Difference Between Important Links
Difference Between Atom And Molecule	Difference between Conduction Convection and Radiation
Difference Between Density and Specific Gravity	Difference between Earthing and Grounding
Difference Between Resistance and Impedance	Difference between Transducer and Sensor
Difference Between Emission And Absorption Spectra	Differences Between LCD and LED
Difference between MCB and MCCB	Difference Between Centre of Gravity and Centroid
Difference between Solar and Lunar Eclipse	Difference Between Mass And Volume
Differences Between Magma and Lava	Difference Between Motor and Generator
Difference Between AC and DC Generator	Difference Between NPN and PNP Transistor
Difference Between Force and Pressure	Difference Between Simple And Compound Microscope
Difference Between Watts and Volts	Difference between Alternator and Generator
Difference between Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes	Difference Between KVA and KW
Difference between Land Breeze and Sea Breeze	Difference Between Work and Energy
Difference between Mirror and Lens	Difference between Ammeter and Galvanometer
Difference between Series and Parallel Circuits	Difference between Earth and Neutral
Difference Between Electromagnet and Permanent Magnet	Difference between Enthalpy and Entropy
Difference Between Stress and Pressure	Difference between Kinetics and Kinematics