Exercise 1 | Thermochemistry

General Chemistry 2 - Exercise 1

Calculate the work done when a mechanical compressor exerting a constant pressure of 175.0 kPa compresses a gas sample from a volume of 1.00 L to a volume of 0.250 L.

Wcompressor = - PΔV


P = pressure in Pa

ΔV = Vf - Vi = change of volume in m3

1.00 L = 1.00 dm3 = 1.00 x 10-3 m3


Wcompressor = - 175.0 x 103 x (0.250 – 1.00) x 10-3 

⇒ Wcompressor = 1.31 x 102 J