What is the change in internal energy (ΔU) for an ideal gas that expands isothermally? (2022)
Practice Questions
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Q1
What is the change in internal energy (ΔU) for an ideal gas that expands isothermally? (2022)
0
nRT
nRΔT
PV
For an isothermal process, the change in internal energy ΔU = 0 for an ideal gas.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: What is the change in internal energy (ΔU) for an ideal gas that expands isothermally? (2022)
Solution: For an isothermal process, the change in internal energy ΔU = 0 for an ideal gas.
Steps: 6
Step 1: Understand what an ideal gas is. An ideal gas is a theoretical gas that follows the ideal gas law perfectly.
Step 2: Know what isothermal means. Isothermal means that the temperature of the gas remains constant during the process.
Step 3: Recall the definition of internal energy (U). Internal energy is the total energy contained within a system due to the kinetic and potential energy of its particles.
Step 4: Recognize that for an ideal gas, internal energy depends only on temperature.
Step 5: Since the temperature is constant in an isothermal process, the internal energy does not change.
Step 6: Therefore, the change in internal energy (ΔU) for an ideal gas that expands isothermally is zero.
