Question

Some nitrogen for use in synthesizing ammonia is heated slowly, maintaining the external pressure close to the internal pressure of 50.0 atm, until its volume has increased from 542 to 974 L. Calculate the work done on the nitrogen as it is heated, and express it in joules.

Answer 1

Answer: The work done for the given process is -2188.7 J

Explanation:

To calculate the amount of work done for an isothermal process is given by the equation:

$W=-P\Delta V=-P(V_2-V_1)$

W = amount of work done = ?

P = pressure = 50.0 atm

$V_1$ = initial volume = 542 L

$V_2$ = final volume = 974 L

Putting values in above equation, we get:

$W=-50.0atm\times (974-542)L=-21600L.atm$

To convert this into joules, we use the conversion factor:

$1L.atm=101.33J$

So, $-21600L.atm=-21600\times 101.33=-2188728J=-2188.7kJ$

The negative sign indicates the system is doing work.

Hence, the work done for the given process is -2188.7 J