Prof.
Anchordoqui
Problems set # 3 Physics 303 September 16, 2014
1. (i) A system initially with volume 10 liters and temperature T = 0◦ C is compressed adiabat-
ically to a state with volume 5 liters and temperature T = 100◦ C. In this process, 1000 J of work is
done on the system. By how much does the internal energy of the system change in this process?
(ii) Instead, we start from the same initial state as above, and end at the same final state as above,
by going through the following two steps. Step 1: the system is first heated isochorically (constant
volume) to the final temperature T = 100◦ C. Step 2: the system is then compressed isothermally
(constant temperature) to the final volume of 5 liters. In the first step, 800 J of heat had to be
added to the system. In the second step, 1900 J of heat flowed out of the system. Compute the
energy changes and amounts of work done in each of these two steps. (iii) Can this system be
regarded as an ideal gas? Why or why not?
Solution: (i) ∆U = ∆Q − ∆W = 1000 J. (ii) Step 1: ∆W = 0 as the volume remains constant;
∆Q = 800 J; ∆U = ∆Q − ∆W = 800 J. Step 2: ∆Q = −1900 J; 1000 J = 800 J + ∆U ⇒ ∆U =
200 J; ∆W = ∆U − ∆Q = −1900 J − 200 J = −2100 J. (iii) No, the system is not an ideal gas.
The internal energy of the system changes under the isothermal process in Step 2, while for an
ideal gas its internal energy should depend on temperature only.
2. The temperature of an ideal gas at initial pressure P1 and volume V1 is increased isochorically
until the pressure has doubled. The gas is then expanded isothermally (constant temperature) until
the pressure drops to its original value. Then it is compressed isobarically (constant pressure) until
the volume returns to its initial value. (i) Sketch these processes in the P − V plane and the P − T
plane. (ii) Compute the work done in each process, and the net work done in the cycle, if n = 2
kilomoles, P1 = 105 Pa, and V1 = 2 m3 .
Solution: (i) The P − V and P − T diagrams are shown in Fig. 1. (ii) Step 1: Use the equation
of state of the ideal gas to obtain P1 V1 = nRT1 ; ∆W1 = 0; remains constant; P2 = 2P1 V2
R R
and so 2P1 V1 = T2 nR. Step 2: ∆W2 = VV12 P2 dV = VV12 nRT V
2
dV = 2P1 V1 ln 2. Step 3:
R V1
∆W3 = V2 P1 dV = P1 (V1 −V2 ) = −V1 P1 . Step 1 + Step 2 + Step 3: ∆W = ∆W1 +∆W2 +∆W3 =
P1 V1 (2 ln 2 − 1) = 7.73 × 104 J.
3. A hypothetical substance has expansivity β = aT 3 /v and isothermal compressibility κ = b/v,
where a and b are constants. Find the equation of state (including the unknown constant of inte-
gration).
Solution Express the volume as a function of T and P . Relate the partial derivatives to the
thermodynamic coefficients to obtain dv = βvdT − κvdP = aT 3 dT − bdP . The equation of state is
then v − v0 = a(T 4 − T04 )/4 − b(P − P0 ).
the system is no an ideal gas. The internal energy of the system changes under isother
2, while for an ideal gas its internal energy should depend on temperature only.
diagram and P-T diagram
Figure 1: P − V diagram (left) and P − T diagram (right).
Step 1:
4. For stainless steel, the coefficient of linear thermal expansion is α = 17.3 × 10−6 /K at 20◦ C,
and the bulk modulus is about 1.6 × 1011 Pa. What pressure
¢W1 =∆P0,is needed to keep stainless steel
from expanding, when heated from 20◦ C to 25◦ C. Assume that the coefficients are constant over
for the volume is constant.
this temperature range. Consider the pressure needed on a little steel nugget, to prevent its volume
Step 2: from expanding in any direction. [Hints: This question is about expansion in any direction, not
just one linear direction: be careful Zabout factors of 3. The
Z Visothermal compressibility is the inverse
V
of the bulk modulus.] 2 2
nRT2
¢W2 = P dV = dV = 2P1 V1 ln 2, .
Solution: The coefficient of volumeVthermal
1
V
expansionVβ1 = 3α = 5 × 10−5 K−1 , and the isother-
mal compressibility κ = 1/(bulk modulus) = 6.25 × 10−12 Pa−1 . Express the volume as a func-
Step 3: tion of T and P . Relate the partial derivatives to the thermodynamic coefficients to obtain dv =
βvdT −κvdP . For constant volume, thisZ leads
V1to β∆T = κ∆P , hence ∆P = β∆T /κ = 4.15×10 Pa.
7
¢W3 = dV P = (V1 ° V2 )P1 = °V1 P1 , .
5. The pressure on 100 g of nickel is increased
V2 quasistatically and isothermally from zero pressure
to 500 atm. Calculate the work done on the material, assuming that the density and isothermal
Step 1 + Step 2 +Step
compressibility 3 constant at the values of 8.90 × 103 kg m−3 and 6.75 × 10−11 Pa−1 .
remain
¢Wvolume
Solution: The = ¢W 1+
of 100 g ¢W 2+
of nickel is ¢W 3 = P1×V10
0.10 kg/(8.90 1 (2 ln 2 ° 1) = 7.73 £ 104 J.
3 kg m−3 ) = 1.12 × 10−5 m3 .
P2 = 500 atm = 5 × 1.01 × 107 Pa
h = 5.05 × 107 Pa.
Youi can compute the work done on the
∂V ∂V
material from dW = −P dV = −P ∂T dT + ∂P dP = −P V βdT + P V κdP°6. For dT = 0,o
ess steel, its coe±cient
R
of linear P
thermal
2
P expansion
T Æ = 17.3 £ 10 /K at 20 C, and its
11
1.6 P a. The W =coe±cient 1
V κ P dP = 2 of 2
V κ volume
P × 10 J. expansion Ø ª 3Æ = 5 £ 10°5 /K, and the is
−2
= 9.7 thermal
P 1
bility ∑ = 1/(bulk modulus) = 6.25 £ 10°12 /P a.
v = vo [1 + Ø(T ° To ) ° ∑(P ° Po )].
ant volume,
Ø¢T = ∑¢P
Ø
¢P = ¢T = 4.15 £ 107 P a
∑
