Accelerating piston under isothermal condition

Abstract This article explores the motion of a frictionless piston within a cylindrical container that contains an ideal gas maintained under an isothermal condition. During expansion and compression, the gas exerts a force that accelerates the piston. This movement alters the gas pressure near the piston, referred to as dynamic pressure, which deviates from the equilibrium pressure. By investigating the linear and oscillatory motions of the piston, the effect of the dynamic pressure is shown to be dependent on the mass ratio of the gas to the piston. Moreover, work done by the gas is analysed, showing how the kinetic energy of the piston varies. The material covered in this article is appropriate for undergraduate mechanics and thermodynamics, offering insights into the concept of thermodynamic work.