Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
mol of an ideal gas at K expands at constant temperature from bar to bar. Find its starting and final volumes. Then find the work (a) in one step against a constant outside pressure of bar, and (b) reversibly. Use L bar K mol J K mol.
Work against a constant outside pressure: , with L bar J and L atm J. Free expansion: . Reversible isothermal ideal gas: , and , so .
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. Volumes. L. L.
Step 2. One step. L bar J.
Step 3. Reversibly. J.
Step 4. Compare. The reversible gas does about twice as much work between the same two states.
Answer: L and L; J in one step; J reversibly.
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