A gas undergoes a cyclical process, returning to its starting point on a pressure versus volume diagram and tracing out a closed loop. In which direction must the loop be traversed for the net work done to be positive, according to the source?

1. In a cyclical process, the total work done by the system equals the area enclosed by the loop on a pressure-volume diagram. 2. The source specifies that this area counts as positive work, meaning a net work output, only when the loop is traversed clockwise. 3. A counter-clockwise loop instead corresponds to negative work, meaning work is done on the system rather than by it, ruling out option B. 4. Since the direction changes the sign of the result, direction clearly does matter, and a closed loop that encloses area is not equivalent to zero work, ruling out options C and D. _Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 15 "Thermodynamics", section 15.2 The First Law of Thermodynamics and Some Simple Processes_