In thermodynamics, an isochoric process, also called a constant-volume process,

an isovolumetric process, or an isometric process, is a thermodynamic process during which

the volume of the closed system undergoing such a process remains constant. An isochoric process
is exemplified by the heating or the cooling of the contents of a sealed, inelastic container: The
thermodynamic process is the addition or removal of heat; the isolation of the contents of the
container establishes the closed system; and the inability of the container to deform imposes the
constant-volume condition.

Formalism[edit]
An isochoric thermodynamic quasi-static process is characterized by constant volume, i.e., ΔV = 0.
The process does no pressure-volume work, since such work is defined by

where P is pressure. The sign convention is such that positive work is performed by the system on
the environment.
If the process is not quasi-static, the work can perhaps be done in a volume constant
thermodynamic process.[1]
For a reversible process, the first law of thermodynamics gives the change in the system's internal
energy:

Replacing work with a change in volume gives

Since the process is isochoric, dV = 0, the previous equation now gives

Using the definition of specific heat capacity at constant volume, cv = (dQ/dT)/m, where m is the
mass of the gas, we get

Integrating both sides yields

where cv is the specific heat capacity at constant volume, T1 is the initial temperature and T2 is the
final temperature. We conclude with:
 Isochoric process in the pressure volume diagram. In this
diagram, pressure increases, but volume remains constant.
On a pressure volume diagram, an isochoric process appears as a straight vertical line. Its
thermodynamic conjugate, an isobaric process would appear as a straight horizontal line.

Ideal gas[edit]
If an ideal gas is used in an isochoric process, and the quantity of gas stays constant, then the
increase in energy is proportional to an increase in temperature and pressure. For example a gas
heated in a rigid container: the pressure and temperature of the gas will increase, but the volume will
remain the same.