A gas kept in a container of finite conductivity is suddenly compressed . The process

Options

A. must be very nearly adiabatic
B. must be very nearly isothermal
C. may be very nearly adiabatic
D. may be very nearly isothermal

Answer

To solve the problem, we need to analyze the behavior of a gas when it is suddenly compressed in a container with finite thermal conductivity. The key points to consider are the nature of the compression and the time available for heat exchange.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Process**:
- The gas is suddenly compressed, which means the compression happens very quickly. In such a rapid process, there is not enough time for heat to transfer between the gas and the surroundings.

**Hint**: Think about what happens during a rapid change in a system's state.

2. **Adiabatic Process Consideration**:
- Since the compression is sudden, we can assume that there is no heat exchange with the surroundings. This is characteristic of an adiabatic process, where the system is insulated from heat transfer.
- In an adiabatic process, the internal energy of the gas changes due to work done on it, which results in a change in temperature.

**Hint**: Recall the definition of an adiabatic process and its implications on temperature and internal energy.

3. **Isothermal Process Consideration**:
- An isothermal process occurs at constant temperature. For a process to be isothermal, the gas must have enough time to exchange heat with its surroundings to maintain a constant temperature.
- In this case, since the compression is sudden, the gas does not have enough time to exchange heat, making it unlikely for the process to be isothermal.

**Hint**: Consider the conditions required for a process to be isothermal and how they apply to a sudden change.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Given that the process is sudden and does not allow for heat exchange, it is reasonable to conclude that the process may be nearly adiabatic.
- However, since there is a finite conductivity of the container, there might be a slight possibility of heat exchange, allowing for the process to also be considered as nearly isothermal, but to a lesser extent.

**Final Answer**: The process may be very nearly adiabatic (C) and may be very nearly isothermal (D).

### Summary of Options:
- The process must be very nearly adiabatic (C).
- The process may be very nearly isothermal (D).