An ideal gas is allowed to expand against a constant pressure of $2 \ bar$ from $10 \ L$ to $50 \ L$ in one step. Calculate the amount of work done by the gas. If the same expansion were carried out reversibly,will the work done be higher or lower than the earlier case? (Given that $1 \ L \ bar = 100 \ J$)

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(N/A) In the first case,as the expansion is against constant external pressure,
$W = -p_{ext} \times (V_2 - V_1) = -2 \ bar \times (50 - 10) \ L = -80 \ L \ bar$
Since $1 \ L \ bar = 100 \ J$,
$W = -80 \times 100 \ J = -8000 \ J = -8 \ kJ$
If the given expansion was carried out reversibly,the internal pressure of the gas would be infinitesimally greater than the external pressure at every stage,resulting in maximum work done. Therefore,the work done will be higher than in the irreversible case.

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