A-LevelPhysicsThermodynamics9702/12 · May/June 2013 · Q181 Mark

A gas is enclosed inside a cylinder which is fitted with a frictionless piston. [Figure showing a cylinder with a piston, gas inside, external pressure p] Initially, the gas has a volume V₁ and is in equilibrium with an external pressure p. The gas is then heated slowly so that it expands, pushing the piston back until the volume of the gas has increased to V2. How much work is done by the gas during this expansion?

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Ap(V2 - V₁)

B1/2 p(V2 - V₁)

Cp(V2 + V₁)

D1/2 p(V2 + V₁)

✓ Correct answer

A: p(V2 - V₁)

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Topic: Thermodynamics, A-Level Physics (syllabus 9702). Multiple choice, 1 mark.
Source: A-Level Physics, May/June 2013 Paper 1 Variant 2, question 18.

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