Exam-style question
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In a p-V diagram, the area under the curve represents which of the following?.
- A.The change in internal energy.
- B.The work done by the system.
- C.The heat added to the system.
- D.The pressure of the gas.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The work done by the system.
Explanation
Why this works
In a p-V diagram, the area under the curve represents the work done by the system during a thermodynamic process. This is because work is defined as the integral of pressure with respect to volume.
Common mistake
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