Question

A given mass of gas expands reversibly from state A to state B by three paths 1,2 and 3 as shown in the figure. If $w_1,w_2,and{w}_3$ respectively are the work done by the gas along three paths, then:

• A. $w_1<w_2>w_3$
• B. $w_1<w_2<w_3$
• C. $w_1>w_2>w_3$
• D. $w_1=w_2=w_3$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $w_1<w_2<w_3$

Work done for a process = Area under the PV curve.
More the area under the PV curve, more will be the work done for a process.
From the given graph, path 3 has the maximum area. So, maximum work is done in this case.
Similarly, path 1 has the least work done for a process since it has the least area under the curve. So, the order of work done is $w_1<w_2<w_3$.