## work

$\Delta G^{\circ} = -nFE_{cell}^{\circ}$

megangeorge-1K
Posts: 59
Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2018 3:01 am

### work

If we are calculating work on a system and W is a positive number, does that mean work is done by the system or work is done on the system? What is the difference between these two?

Christopher Tran 1J
Posts: 77
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:15 am

### Re: work

Work is being done on the system when w is positive, since the internal energy (U) of the system increases.

Daniel Lai
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:28 am

### Re: work

It means work is being done on the system.

Stevin1H
Posts: 89
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:17 am

### Re: work

When the value of w is positive this means work is being done on the system (ex. is compression). This is because the formula for work is w=-PdeltaV so when there is compression from work being done on the system, the negatives will cancel out and the w becomes positive. Therefore, when work is being done by the system, this is a negative value because of expansion.

Posts: 59
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:04 am

### Re: work

The work done on the system will be positive if a system is compressed and delta-V is negative

Lopez_Melissa-Dis4E
Posts: 66
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:20 am

### Re: work

When work is (+), then work is being done ON the system.
When work is (-), then work is being done BY the system.