Is Any Work Done When Expanding Gas in a Rigid Container?

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SUMMARY

In a scenario where gas is contained in a rigid container separated by a membrane from a vacuum, removing the membrane allows the gas to expand into the vacuum. The work done by the gas during this expansion is definitively zero. This conclusion arises from the equation W = P*V, where the pressure (P) from the vacuum side is zero, resulting in W = 0*dV = 0. Therefore, no work is performed as the gas expands without opposing force.

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  • Basic principles of vacuum physics
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zulfiqar6
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Homework Statement



I can't figure this out...if you have a gas in a rigid container, with a membrane separating the gas from a vacuum in the other half of the container, then remove the membrane and allow the gas to expand, is any work done? It's not expanding against force - does that make work done 0?

Homework Equations



W = P*V

The Attempt at a Solution



dV is positive, so work is also positive?
Except P = 0 from the other side, which would seem to make W = 0*dV = 0
 
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You're right. The work is 0 because the gas doesn't have to push against anything to expand.
 

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