work done on the system is positive or negative?

0 ⤊

work done on the system is positive or negative?

2006-10-29 14:10:00 · 2 answers · asked by ssshhh 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

2 answers

When work is done on the system, the term is positive. This is because we view energy changes from the point of view of the system. We're adding energy to the system when we do work on it.

Similarly, when the system performs work, the term is negative. This is because the system is expending energy to perform work.

2006-10-29 17:07:02 · answer #1 · answered by ihatedecaf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋

work done on the system is always positive and work done by the system is negative.

2006-10-29 14:19:07 · answer #2 · answered by maulik g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋