A sample of gas is contained in a cylinder-and-piston arrangement. It undergoes the change in state shown in the drawing.
(a) Assume first that the cylinder and piston are perfect thermal insulators that do not allow heat to be transferred. What is the value of q for the state change? What is the sign of w for the state change? What can be said about ΔE for the state change?
(b) Now assume that the cylinder and piston are made up of a thermal conductor such as a metal. During the state change, the cylinder gets warmer to the touch. What is the sign of q for the state change in this case? Describe the difference in the state of the system at the end of the process in the two cases. What can you say about the relative values of ΔE?