Path functions

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monkeyvokes

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"Path function: Their magnitudes depend on the path followed during a process as well as the end states. Work (W), heat (Q) are path functions."

Could I have an example of different paths that PV work can take to arrive at the same point but do a different amount of work? thanks
 
"Path function: Their magnitudes depend on the path followed during a process as well as the end states. Work (W), heat (Q) are path functions."

Could I have an example of different paths that PV work can take to arrive at the same point but do a different amount of work? thanks

W = PV --> Area under the curve



W = P∫V dv from V1 --> V2

Where P is a unitary pressure and V dV is the function representing change in volume


As we can see, even though the function from V1 --> V2 remains the same (as does the final volume), the work required in both situations is different under different pressures.


Yay for Cal based physics 🙂