Suppose that a gas expands in a cylinder, pushing back a piston with a speed of $20 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$ (about $45 \mathrm{mi} / \mathrm{h}$ ). We can reasonably consider such an expansion to be quasistatic.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The expansion is quasistatic, which means that it occurs slowly enough that the gas is always in equilibrium. In equilibrium, the pressure and volume of the gas are constant, so the piston moves at a constant speed.

Suppose That a Gas Expands in a Cylinder, Pushing Back 20 m/s20 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}20 m/s

Suppose That a Gas Expands in a Cylinder, Pushing Back $20 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$