Here’s a explanation of how work is done in a thermodynamic process:
Work in Thermodynamics
- Work is energy transferred by a system to its surroundings (or vice versa) due to a force acting over a distance.
- In thermodynamics, the most common example is pressure–volume work in gases.
How It Happens
- Expansion of Gas
- If a gas expands against an external pressure, it pushes the surroundings (like a piston), doing work on the surroundings.
- Example: Gas in a piston moving outward.
- Compression of Gas
- If the surroundings compress the gas, work is done on the system, and the gas gains energy.
- Example: Piston pushed inward, compressing gas.
Key Idea
- Work depends on pressure, volume change, and the path of the process.
- Energy can leave the system as work or enter the system as work.
In short:
- Thermodynamic work = energy transferred by moving a boundary, usually when a gas expands or is compressed.