Question

A sample of 4.10 g of methane occupies 10.8 dm3 at 310 K. (a) Calculate the work done when the gas expands isothermally against a constant external pressure of 200 Torr until its volume has increased by 3.0 dm3.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

10.8 dm³ = 10.8 L

4.1 g of methane = 4.1 / 16 = .25625 moles

V₁ = 10.8 dm³

V₂ = 13.8 dm³

work done in isothermal expansion = 2.303 nRT log V₂ / V₁

= 2.303 x .25625 x 8.31 x 310 x log 13.8 / 10.8

= 1520.27 x log 1.2777

= 161.8 J.