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In private discussions, another member @burian and I have been discussing why, in compression and expansion of a gas, the work can be calculated from ##W=\int{P_{ext}dV}##. We thought it would be of value to open the discussion to the full membership.
Burian last asked about:
When the external pressure applied is transferred from the the piston on to the gas, the gas will push back the piston by an equal and opposite amount. Now, since we have two forces acting on the piston, the original force due to Ext P and the inside gas pushing back, it must be that the net force on piston is zero and hence it can not move Therefore no compression.
Burian: Would you like to elaborate on this before I or others offer an answer.
Burian last asked about:
When the external pressure applied is transferred from the the piston on to the gas, the gas will push back the piston by an equal and opposite amount. Now, since we have two forces acting on the piston, the original force due to Ext P and the inside gas pushing back, it must be that the net force on piston is zero and hence it can not move Therefore no compression.
Burian: Would you like to elaborate on this before I or others offer an answer.