Question

When a gas is compressed, it absorbs 2.67 kJ of energy and 356 J of work are done on the gas. Calculate the internal energy change, in units of kJ, of the surroundings.

a) 3.026 kJ
b) -3.026 kJ
c) 0.00326 kJ
d) -0.00326 kJ

Answer 1

The internal energy change of the surroundings when a gas is compressed and work is done on the gas is -3.026 kJ.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a gas is compressed, it absorbs energy. In this case, the gas absorbs 2.67 kJ of energy. Additionally, work is done on the gas, causing it to absorb 356 J of work. The internal energy change of the surroundings can be calculated using the first law of thermodynamics, which states that the change in internal energy of a system is equal to the heat added to the system minus the work done by the system. Since the gas absorbed energy, the internal energy change of the surroundings would be negative. We can calculate it as follows:

Internal energy change of surroundings = - (Energy absorbed by the gas + Work done by the gas)

Substituting the given values, Internal energy change of surroundings = - (2.67 kJ + 0.356 kJ) = -3.026 kJ