One mole of an ideal gas goes from an initial state A to a final state B in two processes: first isothermal expansion from volume V to 3V, then compression from 3V to V at constant pressure. Choose the correct P–V diagram representing the two processes:
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Question

One mole of an ideal gas goes from an initial state A to a final state B in two processes: first isothermal expansion from volume V to 3V, then compression from 3V to V at constant pressure. Choose the correct P–V diagram representing the two processes:

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G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: For isothermal expansion of an ideal gas, PV = nRT = constant. Step 2: Pressure decreases hyperbolically as volume rises from V to 3V; the P–V curve slopes down to the right. Step 3: Then the gas undergoes isobaric compression at the lower final pressure, so its volume decreases from 3V to V along a horizontal line to the LEFT. Step 4: The final point B has V and a pressure one-third of A's initial pressure. Step 5: Select the sketch showing curved A→(3V,Pₐ/3), followed by a horizontal…