Question

Calculate the work when a cylinder equipped with a piston changes volume from 0.200 L to 0.600 L against an external pressure of 3.00 atm (Remember that 101.3 J = 1 L∙atm)

Answer 1

Answer:

$-121.56\ \text{J}$

Explanation:

$V_1$ = Initial volume = 0.2 L

$V_2$ = Final volume = 0.6 L

P = Pressure = 3 atm

$W=-P\Delta V\\\Rightarrow W=-3(V_2-V_1)\\\Rightarrow W=-3(0.6-0.2)\\\Rightarrow W=-1.2\ \text{L atm}$

$1\ \text{L atm}=101.3\ \text{J}\\\Rightarrow -1.2\ \text{L atm}=-1.2\times 101.3\ \text{J}=-121.56\ \text{J}$

Work done is $-121.56\ \text{J}$.