Question

A system undergoes a process consisting of the following two steps: step 1: the system absorbs 73 j of heat while 35 j of work is done on it. step 2: the system absorbs 35 j of heat while performing 72 j of work. Calculate the change in internal energy for the overall process (in j).

Answer 1

To find the total change in internal energy for a two-step process in physics, we calculate the change in internal energy for each step using the first law of thermodynamics and then sum the two changes. The total change in this case is 1 J.

Step-by-step explanation:

The change in internal energy for an overall process in physics can be calculated using the first law of thermodynamics, which states that the change in internal energy (ΔU) of a system is equal to the heat (A) transferred to the system minus the work (W) done by the system. For step 1, the system absorbs 73 J of heat and has 35 J of work done on it, resulting in a change in internal energy of ΔU1 = Q - W = 73 J - 35 J = 38 J. For step 2, it absorbs 35 J of heat and performs 72 J of work, resulting in a change in internal energy of ΔU2 = Q - W = 35 J - 72 J = -37 J. The total change in internal energy for the overall process is the sum of the changes from both steps, therefore ΔU = ΔU1 + ΔU2 = 38 J - 37 J = 1 J.