noun
- plural of nonreversible; things or processes that cannot be returned to a previous state or condition
Usage: technical/scientific context; often used in thermodynamics, chemistry, and physics
Examples
- In thermodynamics, nonreversibles include processes that increase entropy and cannot spontaneously return to their initial state.
- Chemical reactions that produce heat and cannot be undone are classified as nonreversibles.
- The study of nonreversibles is fundamental to understanding the second law of thermodynamics.
- Unlike reversible processes, nonreversibles always result in a net loss of usable energy.
- Engineers must account for nonreversibles when designing efficient systems.