Question

Which mathematical statement correctly relates qsys and qsurr? A. qsys = qsurr B. qsys < qsurr C. qsys > –qsurr D. qsys = –qsurr

Answer 1

Answer:

• Option D. qsys = - qsurr

Explanation:

The symbol q is used to denote heat energy.

Considering positive the heat absorbed and negative the heat released:

• qsys is the heat absorbed by the systme

• qsurr is the heat absorbed by the surroundings

When the system does not do work on or receive work from the surroundings, the first law of thermodynamics states that:

• qsys + qsurr = 0

From which:

• qsys = - qsurr ← answer

That is the option D.

That means that, the heat abosorbed by the system (if qsys is positive) equals the heat released by the surroundings, or the heat released by the system (if qsys is negative) equals the heat absorbed by the surroundings.