Question

For the reaction in a one-litre vessel at 500 K, the initial pressure is 70 atm, and after the reaction, it becomes 40 atm at a constant volume of one litre. The change in internal energy would be:

(a) Positive
(b) Negative
(c) Zero
(d) Cannot be determined

Answer 1

The change in internal energy of a gas in the described scenario cannot be determined without additional information about the nature of the reaction and the heat exchange with the surroundings.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about the change in internal energy of a gas when its pressure changes from 70 atm to 40 atm in a reaction occurring at a constant volume of one litre at 500 K. It is important to understand that the change in internal energy of an ideal gas is related to the heat added or removed and the work done by or on the gas during a process. In the case provided, however, there is not enough information to determine the change in internal energy, as we do not know whether heat has been added to or taken from the system, or what the nature of the reaction is. Therefore, without additional details regarding the heat exchange or the specifics of the chemical reaction, we cannot calculate the change in internal energy, so the correct answer would be (d) Cannot be determined.