Work Done in Gas Expansion or Compression Calculator

Work done on (or by) a gas is the product of pressure and volume. However, this mathematical expression bears the minus sign. When work is done by the system on the surroundings, \(w\) will be negative but if work is done on the system by the surroundings work done, \(w\) will take on positive sign. Hence for expansion, \(w\) = -PΔV = negative sign and for compression, \(w\) = PΔV= positive sign.

Calculator
\(V_i=\) \(L\)
Initial volume of gas in liters.
\(V_f=\) \(L\)
Final volume of gas.
\(P=\) \(atm\)
Pressure.

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