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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2007  > March  >
Research: Science and Education
Pressure–Volume Integral Expressions for Work in Irreversible Processes
Eric A. Gislason
Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60680

Norman C. Craig
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH 44074
Cover
March 2007
Vol. 84 No. 3
p. 499

Abstract
Different formulations of thermodynamic work w as a pressure–volume integral are examined for a piston moving against a gas in an irreversible process. Proper expressions are obtained using the instantaneous pressure of the gas on the piston as the integrand and also using certain external pressures as the integrand. There are two common yet different ways to define thermodynamic work, and results are obtained for both definitions. In addition, the contribution to w of the atmosphere in such processes is evaluated. An example is given that illustrates the points made in the paper.
More Information
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Citation
Gislason, Eric A.; Craig, Norman C. J. Chem. Educ. 2007 84 499.
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Keywords
Calorimetry / Thermochemistry; Graduate Education / Research; Misconceptions / Discrepant Events; Physical Chemistry; Thermodynamics; Upper-Division Undergraduate
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History
Created:
Last Updated:
2/1/2007
2/2/2007
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2007  > March  > Page 499


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