A Level Physics Notes: Thermal Physics and Gases – Adiabatic Processes for Ideal Gases
In adiabatic processes no heat transfer occurs. This means that in
the equation
that
We
can also use the fact that for any process for an ideal gas,
adiabatic or not, internal energy changes are given by
(1)
and the work done by the gas is given by![]()
Using these, the equation
becomes![]()
Since we are assuming the gas is ideal we can use
as
obtaining
![]()
We can separate vaiables to obtain
and
integrate:
![]()
![]()
(2)
Now
so
(2) becomes
(3)
Substitute
into
(3) to obtain
![]()
We can find the work done by an gas during an adiabatic process
using
and
(1) to obtain![]()
Use of
then
gives![]()