Question
Question: when is maximum work done during expansion...
when is maximum work done during expansion
A
pressure over container is infinite
B
pressure over container is infinitesimally smaller
C
pressure over container is infinitesimally larger
D
pressure over container is zero
Answer
b
Explanation
Solution
Maximum work during expansion occurs in a reversible process. A reversible expansion is characterized by the external pressure being infinitesimally smaller than the internal pressure, allowing the system to push against the highest possible opposing pressure at every step. This maximizes the area under the P-V curve for expansion.