How work is done on an ideal gas?

In summary, when adding molecules of gas to a system with constant volume and no energy being added or absorbed, the pressure and temperature will increase. The increase in temperature is due to the work done on the gas while pushing the molecules into the container, which increases the average kinetic energy of the molecules. Despite the elastic collisions between molecules, the overall kinetic energy of the gas will still increase.
  • #1
jerry0696
9
0
Consider a system of volume V and pressure P ,if i add molecules of gases in the system while keeping its volume constant and not providing any energy nor absorbing energy from the system ,its pressure will increase and so does its temperature
Why does the temperature increase?
More molecules means more collision but the collisions are perfrctly elastic so it doesn't make any difference isn't it?
And for the temperature to increase work has to be done on the gas but how work is done on a fixed volume of gas?
 
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  • #2
jerry0696 said:
And for the temperature to increase work has to be done on the gas but how work is done on a fixed volume of gas?

To add the molecules of gas, you had to push them into the container against the pressure of the gas already there. That pushing did work on them.

The temperature increase comes from increasing the average kinetic energy of the gas molecules as you pushed on them. The elastic nature of the collisions between the molecules just means that the kinetic energy of the molecules, both what they started with and what you added by pushing more molecules in, remains as kinectic energy.
 
  • #3
You can't add molecules to the ideal gas keeping volume constant without changing its energy. It has a non-zero chemical potential.
 

Related to How work is done on an ideal gas?

1. What is an ideal gas?

An ideal gas is a theoretical gas that follows the ideal gas law, which states that the pressure, volume, and temperature of a gas are directly proportional to each other.

2. How is work done on an ideal gas?

Work is done on an ideal gas by changing its volume while keeping the pressure and temperature constant. This can be achieved by compressing or expanding the gas.

3. What is the formula for calculating work done on an ideal gas?

The formula for work done on an ideal gas is W = -PΔV, where W is work, P is pressure, and ΔV is the change in volume.

4. How does work done on an ideal gas affect its internal energy?

The work done on an ideal gas affects its internal energy by increasing or decreasing it. When work is done on the gas by compressing it, its internal energy increases. On the other hand, when the gas expands, work is done by the gas and its internal energy decreases.

5. Can work be done on an ideal gas without changing its pressure or temperature?

No, according to the ideal gas law, the pressure, volume, and temperature of an ideal gas are directly proportional to each other. Therefore, changing one of these parameters will result in a change in the other two.

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