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 437: 4

Answer

Choice D.

Work Step by Step

In an isothermal process the internal energy U stays constant. Because it is expanding, the gas does work on its surroundings, so W is positive. Because the internal energy doesn’t change ($\Delta U = 0$) and the work W is positive, the first law of thermodynamics ($\Delta U = Q-W$) shows that the heat Q is positive.
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