Work Calculation
Moderators: Chem_Mod, Chem_Admin
-
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:17 am
Work Calculation
I remember Lavelle going over this but couldn't remember his explanation... why must the constant pressure have a negative sign in front for the calculation of work done on a system?
-
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:25 am
-
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:16 am
Re: Work Calculation
There must be a negative sign since our system is the gas inside the piston. When we compress the gas, we do work on the gas and increase its internal energy. However, the final volume minus the initial volume would give us a negative number (because the gas is compressed). Without a negative sign, our value would be negative, implying that work is done by the system, where in fact, work is done on the system. Therefore, we need a negative sign to give us the right direction of work.
Re: Work Calculation
the negative sign tells us whether the system is doing work or if work is being done on they system
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 11 guests