Question
Calculate the work, w gained or lost by the system when a gas expands from 15 L.to 75 L against a constant external pressure of 1.5 atm. 101.3J=1Lx +9.1kJ -12kJ -9.1kJ +12kJ -8.5kJ
Solution
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IsabelleProfessional · Tutor for 6 years
Answer
Here's how to calculate the work done by the system:<br /><br />**1. Understand the concept:**<br /><br />* When a gas expands against an external pressure, it does work *on* the surroundings. This means the system *loses* energy, and the work done *by* the system is negative.<br />* The equation for work done by a gas against a constant external pressure is: w = -P<sub>ex</sub>ΔV, where P<sub>ex</sub> is the external pressure and ΔV is the change in volume.<br /><br />**2. Calculate the change in volume (ΔV):**<br /><br />ΔV = V<sub>final</sub> - V<sub>initial</sub> = 75 L - 15 L = 60 L<br /><br />**3. Calculate the work (w):**<br /><br />w = -P<sub>ex</sub>ΔV = -(1.5 atm)(60 L) = -90 L·atm<br /><br />**4. Convert the work to joules:**<br /><br />w = -90 L·atm × (101.3 J / 1 L·atm) = -9117 J <br />w ≈ -9.1 kJ<br /><br />**Therefore, the correct answer is -9.1 kJ.**<br />
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