- #1
sgstudent
- 739
- 3
What does it mean by maximum work of an isothermal, reversible expansion of a perfect gas from initial volume Vi to final volume Vf at temperature T? I understand that heat enters the system during this expansion to ensure that no internal energy is lost but it doesn't really help in anyway.
Also a second question is this.
When we are calculating the maximum work we use w=-nRTlnVf/Vi. But why can't we use w=-PextΔV? I mean the gas will still expand against the opposing pressure in the isothermal reversible expansion conditions so why do we have to use the first formula mentioned?
Thank you
Also a second question is this.
When we are calculating the maximum work we use w=-nRTlnVf/Vi. But why can't we use w=-PextΔV? I mean the gas will still expand against the opposing pressure in the isothermal reversible expansion conditions so why do we have to use the first formula mentioned?
Thank you