Question

A stream of air (21 moles) is compressed isothermally and reversibly from 1 bar to 5 bar. The work done on the air during this process is given by the equation:

1) W = 0
2) W = -RT ln(V2/V1)
3) W = -RT ln(P2/P1)
4) W = -RT ln(P1/P2)

Answer 1

The work done on air during isothermal compression is calculated using the formula W = -nRT ln(P2/P1), taking into account the number of moles, the gas constant, and the initial and final pressures.optio c

Step-by-step explanation:

The work done on a gas during an isothermal compression is given by the equation W = -nRT ln(P2/P1), where n is the number of moles, R is the gas constant, and P1 and P2 are the initial and final pressures, respectively.

In this question, the air is being compressed from 1 bar to 5 bar, which means there is work done on the air as the volume decreases while maintaining the same temperature. Therefore, the correct expression from the provided options for work done is W = -nRT ln(P2/P1).