Reversibility

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Reversibility can refer to

• Reversible dynamics - a mathematical dynamical system, or physical laws of motion, for which time-reversed dynamics are well defined.
• Time reversibility
• Logical reversibility of a computation - a computational step for which a well-defined inverse exists.
• A reversible process in thermodynamics, a process or cycle such that the net change at each stage in the combined entropy of the system and its surroundings is zero.
• A reversible reaction in chemistry, for which the position of the chemical equilibrium is very sensitive to the imposed physical conditions; so the reaction can be made to run either forwards or in reverse by changing those conditions.
• Reversibility in sterilization. See Doctors test easily reversible vasectomy.
• A reversible process in engineering, a process or operation of a system or device such that a net reverse in operation will accomplished the converse of the original function.
• A Reversible error, a legal mistake invalidating a trial.
• Part of the concrete operational stage in Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the mental process of understanding that numbers and objects can change and then return to their original state

[edit] See also

• Irreversibility - in thermodynamics, processes that are not reversible are termed irreversible.