Here you are invited to explore the effect of molecular repulsions and attractions in an imperfect gas by considering each of the terms in the van der Waals equation of state in turn. (a) If molecular...

Here you are invited to explore the effect of molecular repulsions and attractions in an imperfect gas by considering each of the terms in the van der Waals equation of state in turn. (a) If molecular repulsions dominate, the van der Waals equation of state may be approximated as
p
=
nRT/(V-nb). Derive the work done for a gas that obeys this equation of state.
Does such a gas do more or less work than a perfect gas for the same change of volume? (b) If, however, molecular attractions dominate, the equation of state may be w ritten as
p
=
nRT/V- n²a/V². Derive an equivalent expression for a gas in which molecular attractions dominate. Does such a gas do more or less work than a perfect gas for the same change of volume?