Question

When work is done on a gas inside a piston, what can be said about the temperature and the internal energy of the gas inside the piston?

a) Temperature decreases, internal energy decreases.
b) Temperature increases, internal energy decreases.
c) Temperature decreases, internal energy increases.
d) Temperature increases, internal energy increases.

Answer 1

Work done on a gas inside a piston leads to compression, which increases the gas's temperature and internal energy, selecting option d) as the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

When work is done on a gas inside a piston, it generally means that the gas is being compressed. This compression subsequently increases both the temperature and internal energy of the gas. According to the principles of thermodynamics, work done on the system (the gas) raises its energy level, which most often results in an increased kinetic energy of the gas molecules—manifesting as an increase in temperature. Simultaneously, the internal energy, which encompasses the total kinetic and potential energies of the particles within the gas, also increases. Therefore, regarding the options provided, the correct answer is: d) Temperature increases, internal energy increases.