An adiabatic process is characterized by the fact that there is no heat exchange with the surroundings. Here are the descriptions that apply to the adiabatic process:
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Heat is not absorbed by the system. - This is true; in an adiabatic process, no heat is transferred into or out of the system.
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A rapid shift occurs between gas compression and expansion. - This can be true if the process is carried out quickly enough to prevent heat exchange, but it's not a defining characteristic of all adiabatic processes.
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A rapid expansion of gas is caused by a temperature decrease. - This can occur in adiabatic free expansion, where a gas expands and cools down due to the lack of heat transfer, but this is not universally true for all adiabatic expansions.
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All heat is transformed to work done by the system. - This is not accurate. In an adiabatic process, the internal energy change corresponds to the work done on or by the system, but there is no heat involved.
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Heat is released from the system. - This statement is not necessarily true for adiabatic processes. While it can be associated with processes where work is done and the internal energy decreases, it's not a defining feature of all adiabatic processes.
Based on this analysis, the most accurate choice is:
- Heat is not absorbed by the system.
The other statements may have some relevance but are not universally true for all adiabatic processes.