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Example of calculation of work

\begin{figure}\begin{center}\mbox{\epsfig{file=cycle.eps,width=6truecm,angle=0}}
\end{center}\end{figure}

In this cycle the system, which is an ideal monatomic gas, undergoes first isothermal (i) then adiabatic (ii) compression steps, each of which halve the volume, then returns to its starting point via first isothermal (iii) and then adiabatic (iv) expansions, each of which double the volume. How much work is done by the system during the cycle if $P_0$ is 1 atmosphere and $V_0=1$ litre?

The short answer is 41.3 J. The full answer is here.


next up previous contents index
Previous: Work during free and reversible expansions
Judith McGovern 2004-03-17