A gas initially occupying a volume V undergoes a sudden explosion, causing its v

Question

A gas initially occupying a volume V undergoes a sudden explosion, causing its volume to triple to 3V. Assuming that the pressure of the environment (atmospheric pressure po) remains constant, find an expression for the work done by the gas.

Hint: Please notice that an explosion is a rapid and irreversible process. Because this process happens far from equilibrium, the pressure of the gas (p) is not well defined and the expression dw = - pdV cannot be applied to the gas undergoing the explosion.

Explanation / Answer

pv=nRT
dU = TdS-pdV
dU = dQ+ dW

Fast process means dQ = 0. There is no time for heat to move in or out of the system.

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