One mole of a van der Waals gas expands reversibly and isothermally at from 2 L to 20 L. The magnitu — Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

$W = \int P dV = \int_{V_1}^{V_2} \left( \frac{RT}{V-b} - \frac{a}{V^2} \right) dV = RT \ln\left(\frac{V_2-b}{V_1-b}\right) + a\left(\frac{1}{V_2} - \frac{1}{V_1}\right)$. Substituting standard converted values for $a$ and $b$ strictly evaluates the magnitude of work done to 5778 J.