Solution
Related Formula
Wisothermal = nRT ln ((V₂)/(V₁)) Wadiabatic = (nR(T₁ - T₂))/(γ - 1)Core Logic
For a diatomic gas, γ = 1.4. Given initial temperature T = 27°C = 300 K. Since Wisothermal = Wadiabatic, we equate the two expressions.
Step 1: Compute Work Done in Isothermal Expansion
Wisothermal = (1) · R · 300 · ln(2) Wisothermal = 300R(0.693) --- (1)Step 2: Equate and Solve for Final Temperature
Wadiabatic = (nR(T₁ - T₂))/(γ - 1)Equating (1) to adiabatic work:
((1)R(300 - Tf))/(1.4 - 1) = 300R(0.693) (300 - Tf)/(0.4) = 300(0.693) 300 - Tf = 0.4 × 300 × 0.693 300 - Tf = 120 × 0.693 = 83.16 Tf = 300 - 83.16 = 216.84 KStep 3: Convert to Celsius
Tf (in °C) = 216.84 - 273.15 = -56.31°CClosest option is -56.
Pattern Recognition
Equating the work of two different processes links the log expansion to the temperature drop. Recognize diatomic gas instantly means γ = 1.4, providing the 0.4 divisor.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Thermodynamics