A cylinder closed by a light frictionless piston contains nitrogen

PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Thermal, Statistical & Complex Systems · The laws of thermodynamics · The laws of thermodynamics

Thermal Physics, Ch The first law: work, heat and internal energy

Problem

A cylinder closed by a light frictionless piston contains nitrogen, treated as an ideal gas. Initially

V_1 = 2.0\,\mathrm{L}

p_1 = 1.5\times10^5\,\mathrm{Pa}

and

T = 320\,\mathrm{K}

. The cylinder stands in a large water bath at

320\,\mathrm{K}

, and the piston is pushed in slowly (quasistatically) until the volume is

V_2 = 0.80\,\mathrm{L}

; the gas temperature stays at

320\,\mathrm{K}

throughout. Use the book's convention,

\Delta U = Q + W

, with

W

the work done on the gas and

Q

the heat delivered to it. ((a)) Find the work done on the gas. ((b)) Find the heat delivered to the gas.