Calculating Isothermal Expansion Work - 2 Moles Ideal Gas, 380K

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the work done by an ideal gas during isothermal expansion. The problem involves 2 moles of gas at a temperature of 380 K, expanding to three times its initial volume.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the formula for work done during isothermal expansion and clarify the relationship between initial and final volumes. There is confusion regarding the notation of volumes, with attempts to establish the correct expressions for initial and final volumes.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing corrections to the volume definitions. There is a sense of collaborative problem-solving, though no consensus has been reached on the final interpretation of the volumes involved.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the initial and final volumes, indicating a lack of specific values, which is central to solving the problem. The discussion reflects the constraints of the homework context, where complete solutions are not provided.

BlackMamba
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Hello,

I have what should be an easy problem, but I, of course, am having some issues.

Here's the problem: The temperature of 2 moles if an ideal gas is 380 K. How much work does the gas do in expanding isothermally to 3 times its initial volume?

So I know I'm going to to need to use this equation to find the work done:
[itex]W = nRT ln (\frac{V_f}{V_i})[/itex]

I know that:

n = 2
R = 8.31
T = 380
Vi = (3)Vi
Vf = ?

I'm hung up on the volume portion of this problem. I don't have an initial or final volume and that's what I can't seem to work around. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
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Vi = Vi
Vf = 3 Vi
since it expands three times its initial volume
 
please correct vi=3.vi to be vf=3 vi, so now the problem is solved..
 
W = nRTln(3)

(Vf/Vi ) = 3Vi/Vi = 3
 
Oh Lord. Something so simple that I couldn't put together. Thank you everyone for your reply. It is greatly appreciated. :)
 
simple

:smile:
BlackMamba said:
Hello,

I have what should be an easy problem, but I, of course, am having some issues.

Here's the problem: The temperature of 2 moles if an ideal gas is 380 K. How much work does the gas do in expanding isothermally to 3 times its initial volume?

So I know I'm going to to need to use this equation to find the work done:
[itex]W = nRT ln (\frac{V_f}{V_i})[/itex]

I know that:

n = 2
R = 8.31
T = 380
Vi = (3)Vi
Vf = ?

I'm hung up on the volume portion of this problem. I don't have an initial or final volume and that's what I can't seem to work around. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
vfinal=3vinitial
 

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