The pressure-volume work for an ideal gas can be calculated by using the expression w = − dV. The work can also be calculated from the PV– plot by using the area under the curve within the specified limits. When an ideal gas is compressed (a) reversibly or (b) irreversibly from volume Vi to Vf. choose the correct option.
From the above plot, it is easily understood that the area under the curve is more for irreversible compression.