The diagram above show the state of an ideal gas going from (V₁, P₁) to a final state. Which path best represents an isothermal expansion?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An isothermal process is a process where the temperature of the system remains constant throughout the process. On the given diagram, the isothermal expansion would be along a path where the temperature remains constant. Path 2 is the only path that satisfies this condition as it follows a horizontal line on the PV graph, indicating a constant temperature. The other paths involve a change in temperature and therefore cannot be an isothermal expansion.

The Diagram Above Show the State of an Ideal Gas