Imagine a reaction that results in a change in both volume and temperature: (a) Has any work been done? If so, is its sign positive or negative?

Video transcript

Hello everyone today. We have the following problem. Consider a process that results in the following volume and temperature change. Is there any work done? If yes, identify the sign of the work that is being done. So first we have to identify our work equation which is negative pressure times the change in our volume. We have to note here that we are going from a volume of five liters to a volume of two liters. So our change in our volume is going to be negative and so that's going to give us the subsequent reaction of work is equal to negative pressure times a negative change in our volume. This ultimately gives us this final equation that we have a positive pressure and a positive change in our volume. And so ultimately this just means that the work will be positive and if it is positive, this means that work is done on the system by the surroundings. So we've established that work is positive and that means that work is done on the system by the surroundings and with that we've answered our question. Ultimately, I hope that this helped and until next time.