State the meaning of the internal energy of a system.
Explain why, for an ideal gas, its internal energy is equal to the total kinetic energy of the gas molecules.
The mean kinetic energy $\langle E_K \rangle$ of a molecule of an ideal gas is described by $\langle E_K \rangle = \frac{3}{2}kT$, where $k$ is the Boltzmann constant and $T$ is the thermodynamic temperature of the gas. A cylinder holds $1.0\,\text{mol}$ of an ideal gas. The gas is heated so that its temperature changes from $280\,\text{K}$ to $460\,\text{K}$. Calculate the change in total kinetic energy of the gas molecules.
While the gas is being heated, it expands and does $1.5 \times 10^3\,\text{J}$ of work. State the first law of thermodynamics. Use the law and your answer in part (i) to determine the total energy supplied to the gas.
While the gas is being heated, it expands and does $1.5 \times 10^{3}\,\text{J}$ of work. State the first law of thermodynamics. Use the law and your answer in (i) to determine the total energy supplied to the gas.