Here’s How to Crack It
Path 1. Since, in path 1, P remains constant, the work done is just PΔV.
W = PΔV = (1.5 × 10^5 Pa)[(30 × 10−3 m^3 ) − (10 × 10−3 m^3 )] = 3,000 J
Path 2. If the gas is brought from state a to state b, along path 2, then work is done
only along the part from a to d. From d to b, the volume of the gas does not change,
so no work can be performed. The area under the graph from a to d is