Isothermal Expansion and First Law – Rankers Physics
Topic: Thermal Physics
Subtopic: Thermodynamics

Isothermal Expansion and First Law

Assertion (A): An ideal gas expands isothermally, during this process, it absorbs \( 25 \text{ J} \) heat. In the first law of thermodynamics, work done on the gas will be \( -25 \text{ J} \).
Reason (R): There will be no change in the internal energy of the gas during isothermal expansions.
 
Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
(A) is true but (R) is false
Both (A) and (R) are false

Solution:

For an ideal gas undergoing an isothermal process, the temperature remains constant (\( Delta T = 0 \)). Since the internal energy of an ideal gas depends only on temperature, the change in internal energy \( Delta U = 0 \). Thus, Reason (R) is true. From the first law of thermodynamics, \( Delta U = Q - W_{by} \), where \( W_{by} \) is work done by the gas. Since \( Delta U = 0 \), we have \( Q = W_{by} \). Given that the gas absorbs \( 25 text{ J} \) heat, \( Q = +25 text{ J} \). Therefore, work done by the gas is \( W_{by} = +25 text{ J} \). Work done on the gas is \( W_{on} = -W_{by} = -25 text{ J} \). This matches Assertion (A), so (A) is true. Reason (R) correctly explains (A) because the condition \( Delta U = 0 \) is central to deriving the relationship between heat and work in this process.

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