Problem 20.8: Find the work done in a compression

Please wait for the animation to completely load.

A mass is pushed downward on top of a container (the dimension of the container into the screen is 30 cm) so that an ideal gas undergoes a temperature change as shown in the animation (pressure is given in atmospheres, position is given in centimeters, and time is given in seconds). Restart.

  1. What is the work done on or by the gas?
  2. Sketch a PV diagram of the process.
  3. If the initial temperature of the gas is -73°C, what is the temperature scale (i.e., what are the divisions on the thermometer: 10°C units? 25°C?)?

Problem authored by Anne J. Cox.
Script authored by Anne J. Cox and Mario Belloni.


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