what is the answer?

Question

A system does 586 kJ of work and loses 296 kJ of heat to the surroundings.

What is the change in internal energy, Δ𝐸, of the system? Note that internal energy is symbolized as Δ𝑈 in some sources.



Δ𝐸=

Answer 1

∆U = q + w

∆U = change in internal energy = ?

q = heat = -296 kJ (negative because system is losing heat)

w = work = -586 kJ (negative because system is doing the work)

∆U = ∆E = (-296) + (-586) = -882 kJ