Which of the following statements is FALSE?

Learn the essentials for your FE Mechanical exam. Study with our questions and explanations, designed to prepare you thoroughly for exam day.

The statement indicating that maximum work output will be obtained in an irreversible process is false because, according to thermodynamic principles, the maximum theoretical work obtainable from a system occurs in a reversible process. In a reversible process, every change can be reversed without leaving any change in the surroundings, and it operates through equilibrium states. This results in the highest efficiency and maximum work output possible from the cycle, as all energy transformations occur with minimal losses.

Irreversible processes, on the other hand, inherently involve dissipative effects such as friction, turbulence, and unrestrained expansion. These losses mean that the actual work produced in irreversible processes will always be less than the maximum work produced in a reversible cycle. Therefore, while irreversible processes may be quicker and easier to manage in real-world applications, they do not yield the maximum efficiency or output as described in the context of thermodynamic cycles.

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