isothermal
The term "isothermal" refers to a process or condition in which the temperature remains constant. In thermodynamics, this means that any heat added to a system is balanced by an equal amount of heat removed, ensuring that the temperature does not change. Isothermal processes are often idealized scenarios used to simplify calculations in physics and engineering.
In the context of gases, an isothermal process can be observed in the behavior of an ideal gas, as described by Boyle's Law. This law states that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume when temperature is held constant. Isothermal conditions are important in various applications, including refrigeration and heat engines.