What is the work done by an ideal gas during an isothermal expansion?
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the work done by an ideal gas during an isothermal expansion?
Zero
nRT ln(Vf/Vi)
nRT (Vf - Vi)
nR (Tf - Ti)
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the work done by an ideal gas during an isothermal expansion?
Correct Answer: W = nRT ln(Vf/Vi)
Step 1: Understand that an isothermal expansion means the gas expands at a constant temperature.
Step 2: Identify the variables: n is the number of moles of gas, R is the ideal gas constant, T is the temperature in Kelvin, Vf is the final volume, and Vi is the initial volume.
Step 3: Recall the formula for work done by an ideal gas during isothermal expansion: W = nRT ln(Vf/Vi).
Step 4: Plug in the values for n, R, T, Vf, and Vi into the formula.
Step 5: Calculate the natural logarithm of the ratio of final volume to initial volume, ln(Vf/Vi).
Step 6: Multiply n, R, T, and ln(Vf/Vi) together to find the work done, W.
