Homework Problem 4B.13

[Talia Dini - 3I]

Hi! Could someone please walk me through how they solved part b of this problem?

4B.13 Calculate the work for each of the following processes beginning with a gas sample in a piston assembly with T 5 305 K, P 5 1.79 atm, and V 5 4.29 L: (a) irreversible expansion against a constant external pressure of 1.00 atm to a final volume of 6.52 L; (b) isothermal, reversible expansion to a final volume of 6.52 L.

[Janelle Gokim 3B]

For part b, you would simply use the equation for an isothermal reversible reaction, w=-nRTln(v2/V1). You would use the ideal gas law to calculate the moles of gas and then plug that in to the work equation along with the other known values.

[Asia Yamada 2B]

Since it’s an isothermal, reversible expansion, you would use the formula: w = -nRTln(V2/V1). You use the ideal gas law (PV = nRT) to find the amount of moles. V2 would be 6.52L and V1 would be 4.29L. You plug in all the values you know to solve for work.