Physics: Principles with Applications (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32162-592-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-32162-592-2

Chapter 15 - The Laws of Thermodynamics - Misconceptual Questions - Page 438: 6

Answer

Choice B.

Work Step by Step

As the gas expands, its volume increases and it does positive work W on its surroundings. Since Q = 0 for an adiabatic process, the first law of thermodynamics $\Delta U = Q-W$ shows that the internal energy must decrease. For an ideal gas, the temperature is proportional to the gas’s internal energy so the temperature decreases. Use the ideal gas law, PV = nRT. If the volume increases as the temperature decreases, the pressure must decrease.
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