An adiabatic process is a thermodynamic process in which no heat is exchanged with the surroundings. This means that all the energy changes in the system are due to work done on or by the system. For example, when a gas is compressed quickly, it can heat up because the energy from the work done on it increases its internal energy without any heat entering or leaving. In contrast, during an adiabatic expansion, a gas can cool down as it expands, doing work on its surroundings. This principle is important in various applications, such as in refrigerators and air conditioners, where controlling temperature efficiently is crucial.