A system does 591kJ of work and loses 241kJ to the surroundings. What is the change of energy?

Question

1. -350KJ
2. -241KJ
3. +832KJ
4. -832KJ
5. +350KJ

Answer 1

∆E = ∆H + w

∆E = change in energy

∆H = -241 kJ (negative because system loses heat to surrounding)

w = work =-591 (negative because system does work on surrounding)

∆E = -241 kJ + (-591 kJ)

∆E = -832 kJ

Answer 2

Hi, Caitlyn,

The system uses it's energy for work and loses more to the surroundings. So the total reduction to the system is the sum of the two energy values, or -832 kJ.

Bob