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Nature Physics 4, 444–446 (1 June 2008) | doi:10.1038/nphys979

Thermodynamics: Limited adiabaticity

Wilhelm Zwerger

The notion of an adiabatic process is central to thermodynamics. Its applications range from determining the efficiency of an idealized Carnot cycle and the dry adiabatic lapse rate of air when it expands at higher altitude to the decrease of temperature of the cosmic background radiation during expansion of the Universe.