Question

A mixture of xenon and argon gas is expanded from a volume of 92.0L to a volume of 95.0L, while the pressure is held constant at 50.0atm. Calculate the work done on the gas mixture. Round your answer to 2 significant digits, and be sure it has the correct sign (positive or negative).

Answer 1

To calculate the work done in a gas, we can use the PV work formula, which is the Pressure - Volume work formula:

w = - Pexternal * ΔV

where:

w = work

-P external = the constant external pressure

ΔV = the volume change

w = -50.0 atm * (95.0 - 92.0)

w = -50.0 atm * 3.00 L

w = -150.0 L atm

The conversion from L atm to Joule is:

1 L atm = 101.325 Joules

- 150 * 101.325

w = -15198.75 J or -15 Kj