The gas pressure under the piston is 1.2 MPa. What work does the gas pressure force do when the piston

The gas pressure under the piston is 1.2 MPa. What work does the gas pressure force do when the piston moves 15 cm, if the area of the piston is 40 cm2.

P = 1.2 MPa = 1.2 * 10 ^ 6 Pascal – gas pressure under the piston;

S = 40 cm2 = 4 * 10 ^ -3 m2 – piston area;

h = 15 centimeters = 0.15 meters – the distance the gas moves the piston.

It is required to determine A (Joule) – the work of the gas to move the piston.

Let’s find the force with which the gas presses on the piston:

F = P * S = 1.2 * 10 ^ 6 * 4 * 10 ^ -3 = 4.6 * 10 ^ 3 Newton.

Then the work will be equal to:

A = F * h = 4.6 * 10 ^ 3 * 0.15 = 0.69 * 10 ^ 3 = 690 Joules.

Answer: when the piston moves, the gas does work equal to 690 Joules.