Ideal Gas Law & First Law of Thermodynamics

PV=nRT relates the macroscopic properties of an ideal gas; the First Law of Thermodynamics tracks how heat and work change a system's internal energy.

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Overview

Ideal gas law: PV = nRT. First Law of Thermodynamics: ΔU = Q - W, where Q is heat added to the system and W is work done BY the system. Internal energy of an ideal gas depends only on its temperature.

Practice Quiz

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A gas is compressed (work is done ON the gas) with no heat exchange (Q=0). What happens to its internal energy?