Calculating work from a quasi-static process for an ideal gas

[trah22]

Homework Statement

a sample of ideal gas is expanded to twice its original volume of 1.00m^3 in a quasi-static process for which P=alphaV^2, with alpha=5.00 atm/m^6. How much work is done on the expanding gas.

Homework Equations

w=-intergral sign Pdv from intial to final volume( i don't know how to type this out)

The Attempt at a Solution

w=-aplha(v^3/3) from 2m^3 to 1m^3
=(-5.065 x10^5/3)(2^3-1^3)=-1.2x10^6

this actually the correct answer, however i don't understand why -5.065x10^5 is being divided by3 i thought it would be : -5.065x10^5((2^3/3)-(1^3/3)=w/e could someone explain why your suppose to set it up like that...

 

[nicktacik]

Hint:

What is

\int\alpha x^2 dx

 

[trah22]

alpha)(x^3/3)... did i forget something

 

[maverick280857]

What is the work done in a reversible quasistatic process? It is given by

W = \int P dV

Thats how the factor of 1/3 comes about. Maybe the answer is wrong?

(PS--Which book is this?)

 

[trah22]

the text is principles of physics serway and jewett 4th edition, is the correct setup to the anser then -5.065x10^5(2^3/3-1^3/3) or the way they put it? Should the 1/3 still be factored out?