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Q.Derive the expression for the work done during the adiabatic expansion of an ideal gas in a closed system.

Manipur CohsemCouncil of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (Higher Secondary 1st Year) 2026Subjective· 3mImportance★★★★★
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The work done by a gas during adiabatic expansion is W = (P₁V₁ − P₂V₂)/(γ − 1) = nR(T₁ − T₂)/(γ − 1).

For an adiabatic process, the gas obeys PV^γ = K (a constant), where γ = Cp/Cv.

Work done by the gas as it expands quasi-statically from state 1 (P₁, V₁) to state 2 (P₂, V₂):

W = ∫(from V₁ to V₂) P dV

Since P = K/V^γ (from PV^γ = K):

W = ∫(V₁ to V₂) K V^(−γ) dV = K [V^(1−γ) / (1 − γ)] from V₁ to V₂

= [K V₂^(1−γ) − K V₁^(1−γ)] / (1 − γ)

Now use K = P₁V₁^γ = P₂V₂^γ, so K V₂^(1−γ) = P₂V₂^γ · V₂^(1−γ) = P₂V₂, and similarly K V₁^(1−γ) = P₁V₁:

W = (P₂V₂ − P₁V₁)/(1 − γ) = (P₁V₁ − P₂V₂)/(γ − 1)

Using the ideal gas law PV = nRT, this can also be written as:

W = nR(T₁ − T₂)/(γ − 1)

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