Question

The work done by a thermodynamic system depends upon

• A. The initial and final states of the system
• B. Path along which work is done
• C. Only on the initial state of the system
• D. Only on the final state

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Path along which work is done

Consider a system initially taken from state I to the final state f. There are many ways by which we can take it from initial state i to final state f.

The work done in each case is different. Thus, the work done by/on the system does not depend on the initial or final states but primarily on the intermediate states.

In other words work done by a thermodynamic system is path dependent.