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Physics
Classical Physics
Thermodynamics
Adiabatic expansion work far exceeds isobaric of same volume, why?
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[QUOTE="MysticDream, post: 6852760, member: 261349"] Aha, very interesting. It seems I've really been after the net work done on the piston in both cases and did not understand what "work" implied when using the adiabatic formula. I suppose I have to subtract the work done on the atmosphere which stays at a constant pressure to obtain the "net work" done on the piston. The terminology gets confusing when you say the external atmosphere gets "compressed", as it doesn't change pressure. This is what I really need to understand, the difference between net work and the work done by the gas, because I thought they were one in the same. Chestermiller says "It is not the pressure difference across the piston that determines work done by the gas inside the cylinder on its surroundings. It is the absolute force per unit area multiplied by the volume charge , represented by Pext dV." To me work = force * distance, so why wouldn't work be the pressure difference? The external pressure is a force opposing the internal pressure force. If the net work and gas work are different, what happens to the work done by the gas that is not used? Is it just wasted and this is how you calculate efficiency? Thank you both for your insight. [/QUOTE]
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Forums
Physics
Classical Physics
Thermodynamics
Adiabatic expansion work far exceeds isobaric of same volume, why?
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