Question

A sample of gas expands from V₁ = 1.1 m³ and p₁ = 46 Pa to V₂ = 4.8 m³ and p₂ = 18 Pa along path B in the p-V diagram in the figure below. It is then compressed back to V₁ along either path A or path C. Compute the net work done by the gas for the complete cycle along (a) path BA and (b) path BC.

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Answer 1

Work done is equal to area under the P-V curve.q

For clock wise curve work done is negative that is work done by the gas.

And for anti clock wise curve the work done is positive that is work done on the gas.

(A) W_{​​​​BA}​​​​ =(V2-V1)(P1-P2)/2=(4.8-1.1)(46-18)/2=+51.8J Ans

(B) W_{​​​​​​BC} =(V2-V1)(P2-P1)/2=-51.8J ANS