Comparison b/w work done in adiabatic & isothermal processes

[babita]

Homework Statement

In the graph attached, why is isothermal graph line higher than adiabatic one??

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

At first, i had thought that work done in an isothermal process is greater than in an adiabatic process...but for comparison we would need same initial and final states (P & V) , wouldn't we?

 

[I like Serena]

The area under the graph is the work done by the gas (W=∫PdV)

You can compare those areas and see that in an isothermal process the work done is indeed higher than in an adiabatic process.

For a proper comparison you would need indeed the same final P&V.
So introduce an extra isochoric (constant volume) process step (a vertical line in your diagram) and presto!

 

[babita]

i know that.... my doubt was that P & V which are describing the state should be same(initial and final), then we can compare the work done through 2 ways: adiabatic & isothermal
but i have got it..the graph simply indicates that if we expand a gas and do it isothermally it would require more work to be done
thanks :)