On a - diagram for a fixed quantity of an ideal gas

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

On a

p

V

diagram for a fixed quantity of an ideal gas, one curve is drawn: the isotherm at

T = 320\,\mathrm{K}

, that is the curve

p = \text{constant}/V

. Point A on it is at

V_A = 1.20\,\mathrm{L}

p_A = 2.50\times10^{5}\,\mathrm{Pa}

; point B on the same curve is at

V_B = 3.60\,\mathrm{L}

. The gas is expanded quasistatically from A to B along this curve. ((a)) Find the area of the region between the curve and the volume axis from

V_A

V_B

, in joules. ((b)) Write down the work done on the gas for the expansion A

\to

B, with its sign, using the book's convention that

W

is the work done on the gas.