How do you calculate the work done in expanding a gas?

To calculate the work done in expanding a gas, we use the formula W = PΔV.

When a gas expands, it does work on its surroundings. This work is the product of the force exerted by the gas and the distance over which it acts. The force exerted by the gas is equal to its pressure, and the distance over which it acts is equal to the change in volume of the gas. Therefore, the work done by the gas is given by the formula W = PΔV, where P is the pressure of the gas and ΔV is the change in volume.

It is important to note that the pressure and volume must be expressed in the same units for this formula to work. In addition, the work done by the gas is positive if it expands, and negative if it is compressed. This is because work is defined as the transfer of energy from one system to another, and if the gas is expanding, it is transferring energy to its surroundings, while if it is being compressed, it is receiving energy from its surroundings.

Overall, the formula W = PΔV is a useful tool for calculating the work done in expanding a gas, and can be applied in a variety of contexts, from thermodynamics to engineering.