Chemical Forums
Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: alayi on October 15, 2005, 08:28:24 PM
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In which case is the work done on the system positive?
a. ?E > 0
b. ?V > 0
c. ?V = 0
d. ?V < 0
My question is in two parts. First, isn't work done on a system always positive? And second, how can you tell without knowing the enthalpy change? My inclination is to say that the volume would decrease... but wouldn't the heat being transferred to/from the system/surroundings also affect the volume?
Sorry if my question is dumb. I don't think my textbook explains things very well.