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Homework Help: Kinetic theory of gases

  1. Mar 29, 2007 #1

    Two moles of an ideal gas expand to double the initial volume at a constant temperature of 400 K. Calculate the work done by the process.

    2. Relevant equations


    3. The attempt at a solution

    i tried the formula and got 4613.959 J but the answer is 554.6 J
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2007
  2. jcsd
  3. Mar 29, 2007 #2


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    Homework Helper

    Are you sure it isn't log(V2/V1)? I'm used to the form W=nRTln(V2/V1). I can't get either of those answers. Can you show how you got that?
  4. Mar 29, 2007 #3
    n=2; v2=2*v1;T=400 K; R=8.32

    = 2.303*2*8.32*400*log(2v1/v1)
    = 2.303*2*8.32*400*log(2)
    = 2.303*2*8.32*400*0.3010
    = 4613.959

    we generally use logarithms and i dont know wat is "ln"
  5. Mar 30, 2007 #4