A polytropic process is a thermodynamic process that obeys the relation:

where p is the pressure, V is volume, n, the polytropic index, is any real number, and C
is a constant. This equation can be used to accurately characterize processes of certain
systems, notably the compression or expansion of a gas and in some cases liquids and
solids.

Applicability

The equation is a valid characterization of a thermodynamic process assuming that the

process is quasistatic and the values of the heat capacities, Cp and CV, are almost
constant when n is not zero or infinity. (In reality, Cp and CV are actually functions of
temperature, but are nearly constant within small changes of temperature).

Under standard conditions, most gases can be accurately characterized by the ideal gas
law. This construct allows for the pressure-volume relationship to be defined for
essentially all ideal thermodynamic cycles, such as the well-known Carnot cycle. Note
however that there may also be instances where a polytropic process occurs in a non-
ideal gas.

Relationship to ideal processes

For certain values of the polytropic index, the process will be synonymous with other
common processes. Some examples of the effects of varying index values are given in
the table.

Variation of polytropic index n

Polytro
pic Relation Effects
index
n<0 — An explosion occurs
pV0 = p
n=0 Equivalent to an isobaric process (constant pressure)
(constant)
pV = NkT
n=1 Equivalent to an isothermal process (constant temperature)
(constant)
A quasi-adiabatic process such as in an internal combustion
1<n<
— engine during expansion, or in vapor compression refrigeration
γ
during compression

n=γ —
γ= is the adiabatic index, yielding an adiabatic process (no
heat transferred)
— Equivalent to an isochoric process (constant volume)

When the index n is between any two of the former values (0, 1, gamma, or infinity), it
means that the polytropic curve[clarification needed] will bounded by the curves of the two
corresponding indices.

Note that 1 < γ < 2, since .