Arrange the following isothermal processes in order of the magnitude of the work ( p - V ) involved between states 1 and 2 . A. Expansion in single stage w_A B. Expansion in multi stages w_B C. Compression in single stage w_C D. Compression in multi stages w_D Choose the correct option.

Step-by-step solution

Let State 1 have pressure P₁ and volume V₁ , and State 2 have pressure P₂ and volume V₂ . For an isothermal expansion, V₂ > V₁ and P₁ > P₂ . For expansion from State 1 to State 2 : In a single-stage expansion, the external pressure is constant at the final pressure P₂ . The magnitude of work is |w_A| = P₂(V₂ - V₁) . In a multi-stage expansion, the external pressure is reduced in steps, keeping it closer to the internal pressure of the gas. The work done by the gas increases with the number of stages, reaching a max