Question

500 j of work are done on a system in a process that decreases the system's thermal energy by 300 j. How much heat energy is transferred?

Answer 1

The heat transfer can be calculated using the first law of thermodynamics; the heat transfer is 200 J.

Step-by-step explanation:

The heat energy transferred can be determined using the first law of thermodynamics, which states that the change in internal energy of a system is equal to the heat transfer into the system minus the work done by the system:

Change in internal energy = Heat transfer - Work

In this case, the internal energy of the system decreases by 300 J and 500 J of work is done on the system. Therefore, we can calculate the heat transfer as follows:

Heat transfer = Change in internal energy + Work

Heat transfer = -300 J + 500 J = 200 J