A certain gas initially at 0050 L undergoes expansion until

A certain gas initially at 0.050 L undergoes expansion until its volume is 0.50 L. Calculate the work done (in Joules) by the gas if it expands.

(a) against a vaccum

(b) against a constant pressure of 0.55 atm (the conversion factor is 1L * atm = 101.3 J)

Solution

a) 0

b) work = -0.55 ( 0.5-0.05) = -0.2475 L* atm = -25.07 J