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Ch 19: Work, Heat, and the First Law of Thermodynamics
Chapter 19, Problem 19

5.0 g of nitrogen gas at 20°C and an initial pressure of 3.0 atm undergo an isobaric expansion until the volume has tripled. d. What amount of heat energy is transferred from the gas as its pressure decreases?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Isobaric Process

An isobaric process is a thermodynamic process in which the pressure remains constant while the volume and temperature of the gas change. During this type of expansion, the gas does work on its surroundings, and heat must be added or removed to maintain the constant pressure. Understanding this concept is crucial for analyzing how heat energy is transferred during the expansion of the gas.
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First Law of Thermodynamics

The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. In the context of an isobaric process, the change in internal energy of the gas is equal to the heat added to the system minus the work done by the system. This principle helps in calculating the heat energy transferred during the expansion of the gas.
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Heat Transfer

Heat transfer refers to the movement of thermal energy from one object or system to another due to a temperature difference. In the case of the nitrogen gas undergoing isobaric expansion, heat is transferred from the gas to its surroundings as the gas expands and its pressure decreases. Understanding the mechanisms of heat transfer is essential for determining the amount of energy lost by the gas during this process.
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