Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
of a monatomic ideal gas at expands adiabatically until it has cooled to . Find the work it does and its change of internal energy. ()
Adiabatic: , so . Along the way and stay the same. Squeezed, the gas warms; expanding, it cools.
Molar heat capacities: and (Mayer), with . Monatomic: , , . Diatomic: , , . , and in every process.
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. Internal energy. .
Step 2. Work. .
Answer: It does of work, and its internal energy falls by .
Watch out. The work comes entirely from the gas's own energy, which is why it cools.
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