A sample of gas occupies a volume of 638 mL As it expands it
A sample of gas occupies a volume of 63.8 mL. As it expands, it does 138.2 J of work on its surroundings at a constant pressure of 783 torr. What is the final volume of the gas?
Solution
work = - 138.2 J
 = - 138.2/101.33 atm.L
 = - 1.364 atm.L
P = 783 torr
 = 783/760 atm
 = 1.030 atm
work is negative because system is doing work on surrounding
now use:
 work = -Pext*(Vf-Vi)
 - 1.364 atm.L = - 1.030 atm*(Vf - 0.0638 L)
 Vf - 0.0638 L = 1.3243
 Vf = 1.39 L
Answer: 1.39 L

