Hey another great video, any tips on solving these thermodynamics questions? Any processes you go through?

Hi Kaia, I'm glad you like the video, and thanks for the nice feedback. The question you're asking is pretty generic, and it makes me think about the idea I have for another website that just teaches physics, rather than solving textbook problems. Do you think a website like that would be useful for students?

Off the top of my head, thermodynamics tips would be: make sure you're clear about negative signs in U = Q - W, where W is the work done BY the gas. This is especially confusing since the formula sheet given with the AP exam has U = Q + W, in which case W is the work done ON the gas. I suspect U = Q - W was the version used by the scientists who originally studied thermodynamics (James Watt, Joule...) since they were studying it as a way to improve the efficiency of steam engines (they wanted to maximize the area enclosed by a full cycle on the PV diagram), in which case it makes sense to think about W as the work done BY the gas, since that's the whole point of the engine... but I digress... Reading Section 15-2 a few times is probably a good idea to make sure the example processes (Adiabatic, Isothermal...) all make sense, since problem solving usually involves combining several of these special processes together. Draw a PV diagram! I mentioned that tip in the video, and it's super helpful to get your train of thought on the right track.

Good luck,
Mr. Dychko

Thank-you very much, once again you have produced the goods,
I think a website that teaches just physics interests me greatly,
Thanks again for your advice,
Kaia