What does the work done by a gas depend on?

The work done by a gas is primarily influenced by the pressure it exerts and the change in its volume. When a gas expands or compresses, it does so against a certain pressure. The work done can be expressed mathematically as the product of the pressure and the change in volume. In formula terms, for processes involving gases, work (W) can be calculated using the equation W = P * ΔV, where P is the pressure and ΔV is the change in volume.

This relationship is vital in thermodynamics, especially in applications such as engines or refrigerators, where gases undergo expansion and compression cycles. Other options, while they contain relevant factors related to gas behavior, do not directly quantify the work done in the same way that pressure and change in volume do. Thus, the direct relationship between work, pressure, and volume change makes it clear why the correct choice is centered on those two factors.