Two separate experiments are carried out on 1.00 mol samples of helium gas at 298 K

CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Thermodynamics · Thermodynamics

Problem

Two separate experiments are carried out on 1.00 mol samples of helium gas at 298 K. In each experiment the gas undergoes a reversible, isothermal expansion. • Experiment A: the volume increases from 1.00 L to 3.00 L. • Experiment B: the volume increases from 2.00 L to 6.00 L. (a) Calculate the numerical value of the entropy change, ΔSA\Delta S_{\text{A}}, for the gas in Experiment A. (b) Calculate the entropy change, ΔSB\Delta S_{\text{B}}, for the gas in Experiment B. (c) Determine which experiment results in the larger increase in entropy and compute the ratio ΔSBΔSA\dfrac{\Delta S_{\text{B}}}{\Delta S_{\text{A}}}. Show all reasoning. (d) Explain, without additional calculation, why both experiments yield the same numerical value for the work done per mole of gas even though the initial volumes differ.

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