What happens during an adiabatic process?

In an adiabatic process, the defining characteristic is that there is no heat transfer into or out of the system. This means that all the changes in internal energy of the system occur without any exchange of heat with the surroundings. As a result, any work done on or by the system directly affects its internal energy. This is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics, particularly in processes involving gases, where this condition allows for the examination of various properties like pressure, volume, and temperature without the complication of heat exchange.

In contrast, processes that involve heat absorption, heat expulsion, or heat transfer at a constant rate do not fit the criteria for an adiabatic process and involve engagement with the surrounding environment, which changes the energy dynamics of the system in more complicated ways.