Two moles of an ideal gas undergo a single-stage isothermal compression from an initial volume of 8 — Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

For a single-stage irreversible compression, work is calculated as $w = -P_{ext}(V_2 - V_1)$. Substituting the values: $w = -20 \text{ atm} \times (0.8 \text{ L} - 8 \text{ L}) = -20 \times (-7.2) = +144$ L-atm.