Suppose a monatomic ideal gas is changed from state A to state D by one of the processes shown on the PV diagram. Find the total work done on the gas if it follows the constant temperature path A-C followed by the constant pressure path C-D.
A = 2atm and 4L
C = 1atm and 8L
D = 1atm and 16L
1 answer
The total work done on the gas is equal to the area under the PV curve. The area under the constant temperature path A-C is (2atm)(4L) = 8L-atm. The area under the constant pressure path C-D is (1atm)(8L) = 8L-atm. Therefore, the total work done on the gas is 8L-atm + 8L-atm = 16L-atm.