P V^g = constant during an adiabatic expansion.
You need to know the value of the Cp/Cv specific heat ratio, g (usually called gamma) to compute the P dV integral (work done).
Just calling it an "ideal gas" is not enough. Gamma is 7/5 for diatomics and 5/3 for monatomic gases. Both can be ideal in terms of the gas law.
if you are paying money to take this course, you are beiung cheated.
For additional reading, I suggest
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adiabatic_process
1.7 mol of an ideal gas which starts at 1.6 atm and 50 o C does 2.0 kJ of work during an adiabatic expansion. What is the final volume of the gas?
1 answer