A compression at a constant pressure of 160 kPa is performed on 3 moles of an ideal monatomic gas. The compression reduces the volume of the gas from 0.2 m3 to 0.12 m3. The ideal gas constant is R = 8.314 J/mol · K. The work done by the gas?
To find the work done by the gas during the compression, we can use the formula for work done in a reversible isobaric process:
Work = -PΔV
Where:
P = pressure
ΔV = change in volume
Given:
P = 160 kPa = 160,000 Pa
ΔV = 0.12 m3 - 0.2 m3 = -0.08 m3 (note that the change in volume is negative as the gas is being compressed)
Now we can plug in the values:
Work = -(160,000 Pa)(-0.08 m3)
Work = 12,800 J
Therefore, the work done by the gas during the compression is 12,800 J.