Question

A gas does 50 J of work as it expands adiabatically. Is the change in thermal energy of this gas 50 J, 0 J, or -50 J?

Answer 1

From the `1` st law of thermodynamics we know,

`delQ=delU +delW`

For,adiabatic process,change in total energy=`del Q=0` (by definition)

And,change in internal energy = `del U=-delW=-50J`