A system fitted with a piston expands when it absorbs 52.7J of heat from the surroundings. The piston is working against a pressure of 0.693 atm. the final volume is 63.2L. what was the initial volume of the system if the internal energy of the system decreased by 107.4J?

The initial volume of the system is 60.29 L.

Explanation:

According to the first law of thermodynamics,

As it is given that heat is being added to the system so, will be positive. And, work done on the system is negative and work done by the system is positive.

So here, = -107.4 J

                    Q = 52.7 J

                    P = 0.693 atm

And,     W = PdV

or,        W =

So,      

            -107.4 J = 52.7 J - 0.693 \times 101.325 (63.2 - V)

            -160.1 = -43.79 - 70.21 (63.2 - V)

           63.2 - V =

                  - V =  2.90 - 63.2

                     V = 60.29 L

Thus, we can conclude that the initial volume of the system is 60.29 L.