A sample of gas expands from volume V₁ to V₂. The amount of work done BY the gas is greatest when the expansion is:
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A sample of gas expands from volume V₁ to V₂. The amount of work done BY the gas is greatest when the expansion is:

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: All processes are compared between the same initial and final volumes V₁ and V₂, with V₂ > V₁, starting from the same gas state. Step 2: For isobaric expansion, pressure remains P₁. Step 3: For isothermal expansion, pressure at volume V is P = P₁V₁/V. Step 4: For reversible adiabatic expansion, pressure is P = P₁(V₁/V)ᵞ, where γ > 1. Step 5: Since V > V₁ in expansion, isobaric pressure > isothermal pressure > adiabatic pressure at corresponding volumes. Step 6: Work done by the gas equa…