## w=-P*deltaV

$w=-P\Delta V$
and
$w=-\int_{V_{1}}^{V_{2}}PdV=-nRTln\frac{V_{2}}{V_{1}}$

Moderators: Chem_Mod, Chem_Admin

Janice Xiao 1I
Posts: 52
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:00 am

### w=-P*deltaV

Can someone explain why there's a negative sign in the w=-P*deltaV equation?

Jason Liu 1C
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:04 am

### Re: w=-P*deltaV

At a constant pressure, if volume increases, it means that the system is expanding and energy is leaving the system as work. This leaves the system with a lower internal energy. The negative sign means that when a system expand, it is losing energy as work.

Julianna Thrasher 1B
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:00 am

### Re: w=-P*deltaV

We use this equation when the system is at equilibrium (and is therefore reversible) in order to calculate work done by expansion against constant pressure and slight changes in volume. The negative sign shows the system is losing energy.

aTirumalai-1I
Posts: 55
Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:00 am
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: w=-P*deltaV

Take a look at this response; it really helped me understand the conceptual reasoning behind it:

viewtopic.php?t=2341

Return to “Calculating Work of Expansion”

### Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest