A container has two compartments as shown in Figure 1.1.

Specific volumes of
steam in compartment A and compartment B are 5 𝑚 3 /𝑘𝑔 and 10 𝑚 3/𝑘𝑔
respectively. If the membrane breaks and steam comes to a uniform state, determine
the resulting specific volume.
Solution:
Initial state:
𝑉𝐴 = 0.2 𝑚3 𝑉𝐵 = 0.4 𝑚3
𝑣𝐴 = 5 𝑚 3/𝑘𝑔 𝑣𝐵 = 10 𝑚3/𝑘𝑔
𝑉𝐴 0.2 𝑉𝐵 0.4
𝑚𝐴 = 𝑣𝐴
= 5
= 0.04 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝐵 = 𝑣𝐵
= 10
= 0.04 𝑘𝑔
Final state:
𝑉 = 𝑉𝐴 + 𝑉𝐵 = 0.2 + 0.4 = 0.6 𝑚 3
m= 𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 = 0.04 + 0.04 = 0.08 𝑘𝑔
𝑉 0.6
𝑣= = = 7.5 𝑚 3/𝑘𝑔 which is the resulting specific volume
𝑚 0.08
The device with a total volume of 1 𝑚 3 as shown in Figure 1.2 has a free moving
piston between the two chambers. The initial total volumes of A and B are equal
with 𝑣𝐴 = 100 𝑚3/𝑘𝑔 and 𝑣𝐵 = 50 𝑚 3/𝑘𝑔 . If the piston is moved so that x is one-
fourth of the entire length, determine the final specific volumes of chambers A and
B.
Solution:
Total volume, 𝑉 = 𝐴𝐿 = 1 𝑚 3
Initially,
𝑉𝐴𝑖 = 𝑉𝐵𝑖 = 0.5 𝑚3
𝑣𝐴𝑖 = 100 𝑚3/𝑘𝑔
𝑣𝐵𝑖 = 50 𝑚3/𝑘𝑔

𝑉𝐴𝑖 0.5
𝑚𝐴 = = = 0.005 𝑘𝑔
𝑣𝐴𝑖 100
𝑉𝐵𝑖 0.5
𝑚𝐵 = = = 0.01 𝑘𝑔
𝑣𝐵𝑖 50
Finally, when the piston is at one-fourth of the entire length,

𝑉𝐴𝑓 = 𝐴 ∗ 𝐿ൗ4 = 0.25 𝑚3

𝑉𝐵𝑓 = 𝐴 ∗ 3𝐿ൗ4 = 0.75 𝑚3

𝑉𝐴𝑓 0.25
𝑣𝐴𝑓 = = = 50 𝑚 3/𝑘𝑔
𝑚𝐴 0.005
𝑉𝐵𝑓 0.75
𝑣𝐵𝑓 = = = 75 𝑚3/𝑘𝑔
𝑚𝐵 0.01
A vessel shown has two compartments as shown in Figure 1.3 at different pressures.
The pressure gauge A reads 4 bars and the pressure gauge B reads 2 bars. The
barometer reads 760 mm of Hg. Calculate the reading of gauge C. [Take 𝜌 =
13600 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3, 𝑔 = 9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2]
Solution:
𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 = 4 𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 400 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐴
𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 = 2 𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 200 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐵
𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 𝜌𝑔𝑧 = 13600 ∗ 9.81 ∗ 0.76 = 101.396 𝑘𝑃𝑎
Pressure gauge A measures pressure of compartment 2
relative to atmosphere.

𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 2 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 = 101.396 + 400 = 501.396 𝑘𝑃𝑎

𝐴

Pressure gauge B measures pressure of compartment 2 relative to compartment 1.

𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 2 = 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 1 + 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒

𝐵
𝑜𝑟, 501.396 = 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 1 + 200
∴ 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 1 = 301.396 𝑘𝑃𝑎

Pressure gauge C measures pressure of compartment 1 relative to atmosphere.

𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 1 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒

𝐶
𝑜𝑟, 301.396 = 101.396 + 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒
𝐶
∴ 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 = 200 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐶
A large chamber is separated into two compartments which are maintained at
different pressures as shown in Figure 1.4 below. Pressure gauge A reads
200 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and pressure gauge B reads 150 𝑘𝑃𝑎. If the atmospheric pressure is
100 𝑘𝑃𝑎, determine the absolute pressure existing in the compartments and the
reading of gauge C.
[Ans: 250 𝑘𝑃𝑎, 50 𝑘𝑃𝑎, −50 𝑘𝑃𝑎]

Hint:
Pressure gauge B measures pressure of compartment 1 relative to atmosphere.
Pressure gauge A measures pressure of compartment 1 relative to compartment 2.
Pressure gauge C measures pressure of compartment 2 relative to atmosphere.
𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 1 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒
𝐵
𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 1 = 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 2 + 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒
𝐴
𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 2 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒
𝐶
Three pressure gauges are connected to a container consisting of two compartments
as shown in figure below. If the local barometer reads 760 𝑚𝑚 of Hg, and pressure
gauges A and B read 250 𝑘𝑃𝑎 and 150 𝑘𝑃𝑎 respectively, determine the absolute
pressure in each compartment and reading of pressure gauge C.
[Ans: 351.396 𝑘𝑃𝑎, 501.396 𝑘𝑃𝑎, 400 𝑘𝑃𝑎]

Hint:
Pressure gauge A measures pressure of compartment 1 relative to atmosphere.
Pressure gauge B measures pressure of compartment 2 relative to compartment 1.
Pressure gauge C measures pressure of compartment 2 relative to atmosphere.
𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 1 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒
𝐵
𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 1 = 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 2 + 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒
𝐴
𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 2 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒
𝐶
A cylinder encloses a gas with a piston as shown in Figure 1.5. The area of the
piston is 0.01 𝑚2 . Take the atmospheric pressure to be 0.101 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and the local
gravitational acceleration as 9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2. If the mass of the piston is 50 𝑘𝑔, what is
the gas pressure? Will the gas pressure change if the gas volume beneath the piston
is double?
Solution:
𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 0.101 𝑀𝑃𝑎 = 101 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐴𝑃 = 0.01 𝑚 2
𝑚𝑃 = 50 𝑘𝑔
Referring to the free body diagram of the piston, we can write
the equilibrium equation as
𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑠 ∗ 𝐴𝑃 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 ∗ 𝐴𝑃 + 𝑊
𝑊
𝑜𝑟, 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑠 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 +
𝐴𝑃
𝑚𝑃 𝑔 50 ∗ 9.81
𝑜𝑟, 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑠 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + = 101 +
𝐴𝑃 0.01 ∗ 103
∴ 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑠 = 150.05 𝑘𝑃𝑎
If we draw FBD for the final state (when the gas volume is double), there will be no
change in any forces. Hence, the gas pressure remains the same.

A piston-cylinder device as shown in Figure below has the cross-sectional area of

0.01 𝑚2 and a piston mass of 80 𝑘𝑔. If the atmospheric pressure is 1 𝑏𝑎𝑟, what
should be the gas pressure to lift the piston? If 50 𝑘𝑔 mass is added above the
piston, what will be the new pressure?
[Ans: 178.48 𝑘𝑃𝑎, 227.53 𝑘𝑃𝑎]
The piston of a vertical piston-cylinder device containing gas has a mass of
50 𝑘𝑔 and a cross-sectional area of 0.02 𝑚2 as shown in Figure below.
1. Determine the pressure inside the cylinder.
2. During some process, heat is lost by the gas to the surroundings and its volume
3 𝑡ℎ
Τ
decreases to 4 of the initial volume, determine its final pressure.
[Ans: 124.525 𝑘𝑃𝑎]
A piston-cylinder device loaded with a linear spring with a spring constant of 𝑘 =
100 𝑘𝑁/𝑚 contains a gas initially at a pressure of 100 kPa and a volume of
0.05 𝑚3, as shown in figure below. The cross-sectional area of the piston is 0.1 𝑚 2.
Initially spring touches the piston but exerts no force on it. Heat is supplied to the
system until its volume doubles. Determine the final pressure.
Solution:
𝑘 = 100 𝑘𝑁/𝑚
𝐴𝑃 = 0.1 𝑚2
Initial state: 𝑃1 = 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎 𝑉1 = 0.05 𝑚3
Final state: 𝑃2 =? 𝑉2 = 2𝑉1 = 0.1 𝑚3
Referring to the FBD, we can write equation for
gas pressure inside the cylinder as
𝑊 𝐹𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔
𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑠 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + +
𝐴𝑃 𝐴𝑃
Initially spring touches the piston but exerts no
force on it (𝐹𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 0).
Substituting initial state into the pressure equation, we get

Pressure equation for final state is given as

𝑉2 −𝑉1 0.1−0.05
Change in displacement of the piston, 𝑥 = = = 0.5 𝑚
𝐴𝑃 0.1

∴ 𝑃2= 600 𝑘𝑃𝑎

 𝑉2 𝑉1 𝑉2 −𝑉1
Change in displacement of the piston, 𝑥 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 = − =
𝐴𝑃 𝐴𝑃 𝐴𝑃
A piston-cylinder device loaded with a linear spring as shown in figure below has a
cross-sectional area of 0.01 𝑚 2,contains gas piston mass of 80 𝑘𝑔. Initially spring
touches the piston but exerts no pressure on it. Heat is supplied to the system until
its volume doubles. Determine the final pressure. [Take 𝑔 = 9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2, outside
atmospheric pressure = 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎, spring constant 𝑘 = 50 𝑘𝑁/𝑚, initial volume =
0.06 𝑚3 of gas]
[Ans: 30178.48 kPa]
A 5 𝑘𝑔 piston in a cylinder with diameter of 100 𝑚𝑚 is loaded with a linear spring
and the outside atmospheric pressure of 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎. The spring exerts no force on the
piston when it is at the bottom of the cylinder and for the state shown in Figure
below, the pressure is 400 𝑘𝑃𝑎 with volume of 0.4 𝐿. the valve is opened to let
some air in, causing the piston to rise 2 𝑐𝑚. Find the new pressure. [Take 𝑔 =
9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2]
Solution:
𝑚𝑃 = 5 𝑘𝑔
𝜋𝑑𝑃2
𝑑𝑃 = 100 𝑚𝑚 𝐴𝑃 = = 0.00785 𝑚 2
4
𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎
Initial state: 𝑃1 = 400 𝑘𝑃𝑎 𝑉1 = 0.4 𝐿 = 0.0004 𝑚3
Final state: 𝑃2 =? when the piston rises by 2 cm
Referring to the FBD, we can write equation for
gas pressure inside the cylinder as
𝑊 𝐹𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔
𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑠 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + +
𝐴𝑃 𝐴𝑃
Substituting initial state into the pressure equation, we get
𝑚𝑃 𝑔 𝑘𝑥1
𝑃1 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + +
𝐴𝑃 𝐴𝑃
𝑚𝑃 𝑔 𝑘𝑉1
𝑜𝑟, 𝑃1 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + + 2
𝐴𝑃 𝐴𝑃
5 ∗ 9.81 𝑘 ∗ 0.0004
𝑜𝑟, 400 = 100 + 3 +
0.00785 ∗ 10 0.007852
∴ 𝑘 = 45.25 𝑘𝑁/𝑚
Pressure equation at final state is
𝑚𝑃 𝑔 𝑘(𝑥1 +0.02)
𝑃2 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + +
𝐴𝑃 𝐴𝑃
𝑚𝑃 𝑔 𝑘𝑥1 𝑘 ∗ 0.02
𝑜𝑟, 𝑃2 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + + +
𝐴𝑃 𝐴𝑃 𝐴𝑃
𝑘 ∗ 0.02
𝑜𝑟, 𝑃2 = 𝑃1 +
𝐴𝑃
45.25 ∗ 0.02
∴ 𝑃2 = 400 + = 515.29 𝑘𝑃𝑎
0.00785
A new scale N of temperature is devised in such a way that the freezing point of ice
is 100°N and boiling point is 400°N. What will be the temperature reading on this
new scale when the temperature is 150°C? At what temperature both the celcius and
new temperature scale reading would be the same?
Solution:

𝐶 𝐹 − 32 𝐾 − 273 𝑁 − 100
𝑜𝑟, = = =
100 180 100 400 − 100
𝐶 𝐹 − 32 𝐾 − 273 𝑁 − 100
𝑜𝑟, = = =
100 180 100 300
Taking the first and the last terms, we get
∴ 𝑁 = 550°𝑁
When both the scale reading would be same (i.e., N=C=X), we get

∴ 𝑋 = −50°𝑁 𝑜𝑟 − 50°𝐶
A new scale N of temperature is devised in such a way that the freezing point of ice
is 20°N and boiling point is 200°N. What will be the temperature reading on °C, °F
and K scales when the temperature on the new scale is 160°N?
[Ans: 77.78 °C, 172 °F, 350.78 K]

The temperature of a system drops by 36°F during a process. Express this drop in
temperature in °C and K.
[Ans: 20°C, 20 K]
𝐶 𝐹 − 32 𝐾 − 273
= =
100 180 100
Differentiating, we get
𝑑𝐶 𝑑𝐹 𝑑𝐾
= =
5 9 5
𝑑𝐶 36 𝑑𝐾
𝑜𝑟, = =
5 9 5
∴ 𝑑𝐶 = 𝑑𝐾 = 20
Figure below shows a tank within a tank, each containing air. Pressure gauge A is located
inside the tank B and reads 140 𝑘𝑃𝑎. The U-tube manometer connected to the tank B
contains mercury. Using data on the diagram, determine the absolute pressures inside the
tank A and tank B.
Solution:
𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 101 𝑘𝑃𝑎

106
𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 = 𝜌𝑔𝐿 = 13.59 ∗ 3 ∗ 9.81 ∗ 0.2 = 26.66 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐵 10

U-tube manometer measures pressure of tank B relative to atmosphere.

𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 𝐵 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 = 101 + 26.66 = 127.66 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐵

Pressure gauge A measures pressure of tank A relative to tank B.

𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 𝐴 = 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 𝐵 + 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 = 127.66 + 140 = 267.66 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐴