How much work is done by the system when 2.00 moles of O2 expand from a volume of 3.00 liters to a volume of 8.5 liters against a constant external pressure of 0.0100 atm? Answer in units of J.
To find the work done by the system, we can use the formula:
Work = -Pext * ΔV
Where:
- Pext is the constant external pressure
- ΔV is the change in volume of the system
In this case, we have:
Pext = 0.0100 atm
ΔV = (final volume) - (initial volume) = 8.5 L - 3.00 L = 5.5 L
Now, we need to convert the pressure from atm to J/L. We can use the conversion factor: 1 atm = 101.325 J/L.
So,
Pext = 0.0100 atm * 101.325 J/L = 1.01325 J/L
Now, plug the values back into the formula:
Work = -(1.01325 J/L) * (5.5 L) = -5.572875 J
Since work is a scalar quantity and work done by the system is considered negative when the system does work on the surrounding, we can write the answer as:
Work = -5.572875 J
Therefore, the work done by the system is approximately -5.572875 J.