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Ch 19: Work, Heat, and the First Law of Thermodynamics
Chapter 19, Problem 20

A 100 cm³ box contains helium at a pressure of 2.0 atm and a temperature of 100℃. It is placed in thermal contact with a 200 cm³ box containing argon at a pressure of 4.0 atm and a temperature of 400℃. c. How much heat energy is transferred, and in which direction?

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Key Concepts

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

Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that deals with heat, work, and energy transfer. It encompasses laws that describe how energy moves between systems and how it affects matter. Understanding thermodynamic principles, such as the first law (conservation of energy) and the concept of heat transfer, is essential for analyzing energy exchanges in systems like the helium and argon boxes.
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Ideal Gas Law

The Ideal Gas Law relates the pressure, volume, temperature, and number of moles of an ideal gas through the equation PV = nRT. This law is crucial for determining the state of gases in the boxes, allowing us to calculate changes in pressure and temperature when heat is transferred. It helps in understanding how the properties of helium and argon will change as they interact thermally.
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Heat Transfer

Heat transfer refers to the movement of thermal energy from one object or substance to another due to a temperature difference. It can occur through conduction, convection, or radiation. In this scenario, understanding how heat flows from the hotter argon box to the cooler helium box is key to determining the direction and amount of heat energy transferred between the two systems.
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