A cylinder with a moving piston expands from an initial volume of 0.150 L against an external pressure of 1.50 atm. The expansion does 217 J of work on the surroundings. What is the final volume of the cylinder

V₂ = 0.0016 m³ = 1.6 L

Explanation:

The work done by the system against a constant external pressure is given by:

W = PΔV

W = P (V₂ - V₁)

V₂ = (W/P) + V₁

where,

W = Work done by the piston = 217 J

P = Constant External Pressure = (1.5 atm) (101325 Pa / 1 atm) = 151988 Pa

V₁ = Initial Volume = (0.15 L) (0.001 m³/1 L) = 0.00015 m³

Therefore,

V₂ = (217 J/151988 Pa) + 0.00015 m³

V₂ = 0.0016 m³ = 1.6 L