ΔU, Q, W of thermodynamic process

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Homework Statement


A monatomic ideal gas undergoes the thermodynamic process shown in the PV diagram. Determine whether each of the values ΔU, Q, and W for the gas is positive, negative, or zero.
upload_2016-11-3_7-41-47.png

Homework Equations


ΔU=Q-W
W=integral under the curve
PV=nRT T=PV/nR

The Attempt at a Solution


direction is negative then the integral negative then work is negative
ΔU depends on change in temp, and here pressure increases and volume decreases so it was Ti=P0x2V0/nR and at final it becomes Tf=2P0xV0/nR Tf=Ti then it stays the same no change in temp then ΔU =0
therefore 0=Q-W Q=W but W negative then Q also negative
Is that correct? I need only to check my answer...
and is there any other way to determine Q from Graph (without looking at W or ΔU) ?
 
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Any Help said:
Is that correct? I need only to check my answer...
Yes.

Any Help said:
and is there any other way to determine Q from Graph (without looking at W or ΔU) ?
You could draw adiabats, one passing through point ##2V_0,P_0## and one through point ##V_0,2P_0##, and see if you are going closer to the origin (##Q<0##) or farther away from the origin (##Q>0##), but it is easier to calculate it as you did.
 
DrClaude said:
draw adiabats
how we draw them? do you mean to draw hyperbolas passing through them?
 
I mean that you draw the curves ##P = V^{-\gamma}## that pass through the given points.
 
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Careful with how W is defined. Physicists usually take W as the work done BY the gas, which is what you did & that's correct.

But chemists often (or usually?) take W as the work done ON the gas in which case your W would be positive and the 1st law would read ΔU = Q + W.
 
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