Thermodynamics Homework: Find Work Given Heat & Temp Change

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Robershky
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Homework Statement



When 1380 J of heat are added to one mole of an ideal monatomic gas, its temperature increases from 272 K to 275 K. Find the work done by the gas during this process.

Homework Equations



I assume [tex]\Delta[/tex]U = Q - W is the formula to use. But for some reason I'm just confused.

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried using 1380 = 275 - W, and got -1105. But that is not the correct answer.
 
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That's the problem, I don't understand how they relate. Is there a conversion from Kelvin to Joules? Or do I just use 3K = 1380J - W?
 
Internal energy increases with increasing temperature, but the exact relation will depend on the type of gas. You should figure out how many degrees of freedom are present in a monatomic gas, then use equipartition of energy to express the internal energy as a function of temperature.
 
Robershky said:

Homework Statement



When 1380 J of heat are added to one mole of an ideal monatomic gas, its temperature increases from 272 K to 275 K. Find the work done by the gas during this process.

Homework Equations



I assume [tex]\Delta[/tex]U = Q - W is the formula to use. But for some reason I'm just confused.

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried using 1380 = 275 - W, and got -1105. But that is not the correct answer.
You are given Q and you can determine [itex]\Delta U = nC_v\Delta T[/itex]. So it is just a matter of applying the first law to determine W.

AM