First law of thermodynamics and the ideal gas law

Problem:

5 moles of gas in a cylinder undergo an isobaric expansion starting at 293 K.  The cylinder is
initially 50 cm tall.  The radius of the cylinder is 10 cm and Δy is 1 cm.  How much work is done
by the gas?

Solution:

Concepts:
Isobaric expansion, the ideal gas law
Reasoning:
The process is isobaric, the pressure P is constant.  If the volume increase from Vinitial to
Vfinal, then the work done by the gas is W = P(Vfinal - Vinitial)  
Details of the calculation:
W = PΔV = (nRT/V)ΔV = (5*8.31*293/(0.5 π  0.12) )*(0.01 π 0.12) J = 243 J

Problem:

One mole of an ideal gas does 3000 J of work on its surroundings as it expands isothermally to a
final pressure of 1 atm and volume of 25 L.  Determine
(a)  the initial volume and
(b)  the temperature of the gas.

Solution:

Concepts:
Ideal gas law: PV = nRT,  work done on the system: W = -∫PdV
Energy conservation: ΔU = ΔQ + ΔW
Reasoning:
For an isothermal process W = nRT ln(Vi/Vf).
We are given n, Pfinal, and Vfinal, and we are told that the temperature is constant.
Details of the calculation:
(a)  For an isothermal process the temperature is constant.  
Therefore PV = nRT = constant.
PV = 101000 Pa*25*10-3 m3 = nRT
W = nRT ln(Vi/Vf) for an isothermal process.
W/(nRT) = -3000 J/(101000 Pa*25*10-3 m3) = -1.19
(The work done by the gas is -W.)
Vf/Vi = exp(1.19) = 3.28
Vi = (25*10-3 m3)/3.28 = 7.62*10-3 m3 = 7.62 L
(b) For an ideal gas PV = nRT.  101000 Pa*25*10-3 m3 = (8.31 J/K)T.
T = 303.85 K.

Problem:

A cylinder contains He gas.  In its initial state a the cylinder Volume is Va = 4.23*10-3 m3 and the
pressure is Pa = 1.19*10-5 Pa.  The volume is isothermically reduced until the system reaches a
state b with Vb = 0.581*10-3 m3.  This process is followed by an isobaric expansion which allows
the system to reach a state c with Vc = Va.  The cycle finishes with an isochoric or isometric
(constant volume) process that brings the system back to state a.
(a)  Draw the cycle in a P-V diagram.
(b)  Find the work done by the system going from b to c.
(c)  Find the work done by the system in one cycle.
(d)  Find the fractional change of the temperature of the system going from b to c.
(e)  When the system goes from c to a, does it absorb or release heat?  Find the amount of heat
absorbed or released.
(f)  When the system goes from b to c, does it absorb or release heat?  Find the amount of heat
absorbed or released.

Solution:

Concepts:
Ideal gas law: PV = nRT,  work done on the system: W = -∫PdV
Energy conservation: ΔU = ΔQ - ΔW
increase in internal energy of a system = heat put into the system - work done by the
system on its surroundings,
Reasoning:
An isothermal process occurs at constant temperature.  P = nRT/V .  Since the internal
energy of a gas is only a function of its temperature, ΔU = 0 for an isothermal process.  For
the isothermal expansion of an ideal gas we have

W = ∫V1V2PdV = ∫V1V2nRT dV/V = nRT∫V1V2 dV/V = nRT ln(V2/V1).

W is negative if V2 < V1.  Since ΔU = 0, the heat transferred to the gas is ΔQ = W.

An isobaric is a process that occurs at constant pressure.  We then have

W = P∫V1V2 dV = P(V2 - V1).

If the pressure of an ideal gas is kept constant, then the temperature must increase as the
gas expands.  (PV/T = constant.)  Heat must be added during the expansion process.
An isometric process takes place at constant volume.  Then W = 0 and ΔU = ΔQ.  All the
heat added to the system goes into increasing its internal energy.
Details of the calculation:
(a) 
 (b)  Wbc = Pb(Va-Vb) = Pa(Va/Vb) (Va-Vb) = 3.16*10-7 J,
U = (3/2)NkT = (3/2)nRT =  (3/2)PV,  ΔUbc = (3/2)Pb(Va - Vb) = 4.74*10-7 J,
ΔQbc = ΔUbc + Wbc =  4.74*10-7 J + 3.16*10-7 J = 7.9*10-7 J.
(c)  Wab = nRT ln(Vb/Va) = PaVa ln(Vb/Va) = -10-7 J.  Wcycle = Wbc + Wab = 2.16*10-7 J.
(d)  (Tc - Tb)/Tb = Pb(Va - Vb)/nRTb = (Va - Vb)/Vb = 6.28.  The temperature increases by a
factor of 6.2
(e)  The system releases heat.
ΔWca = 0, ΔUca = ΔQca = (3/2)(Pa - Pb)Va = -4.74*10-7 J.
The system releases heat.
(f)  The system absorbs heat.
ΔQbc = 7.9*10-7 J.
[ΔUab= 0.  ΔQab = Wab = nRT ln(Vb/Va) = -10-7 J.
ΔQcycle = ΔQab +  ΔQbc +  ΔQca =  Wcycle = 2.16*10-7 J.]

Problem:

Air at 20.0 oC in the cylinder of a Diesel engine is compressed from an initial pressure of 1.00
atm and volume of 800 cm3 to a volume of 60 cm3.  Assume that air behaves as an ideal gas with
γ  = 1.40 and that the compression is adiabatic.  Find the final pressure and temperature of the
air.  (Give numerical answers!)

Solution:

Concepts:
Adiabatic processes
Reasoning:
We are asked to assume that PVγ = constant, with γ  = 1.40.
Details of the calculation:
This is an adiabatic process where T and P both increase.
Using PiVi γ = PfVf γ we have
Pf = Pi(Vi/Vf)γ = (1 atm)(800 cm3/60 cm3)1.4 = 37.6 atm.
Since PV = nRT is valid for an ideal gas, and no gas escapes from the cylinder we have
PiVi/Ti = PfVf/Tf  --> Tf = [PfVf/(PiVi)]Ti.
Tf = = (37.6 atm/ 1atm)(60 cm3/800 cm3)*293 K = 826 K = 553 oC.
 

Problem:

A quantity of an ideal monatomic gas consist of N atoms, initially at temperature T1. 

The pressure and volume are then slowly doubled, in such a way as to trace out a straight line on
the P-V diagram. 
In terms of N, k, and T1, find
(a)  the work done by the gas.
(b)  If one defines an equivalent specific heat capacity (c = ΔQ/ΔT, where ΔQ is the total heat
transferred to the gas) for this particular process for the  above monatomic gas, what is its
value?

Solution:
 Concepts:
The P-V diagram, the ideal gas law, the first law of thermodynamics
Reasoning:
We are given P2 = 2 P1, V2 = 2 V1 and asked to find W and ΔQ.
Details of the calculation:

Given:  P/V = P1/V1,     P(V) = (P1/V1)V

Ideal gas law: PV = NkT,   T2/T1 = P2V2/(P1V1) = 4,  T2 = 4 T1.
W = ∫V1V2PdV = (P1/V1) ∫V1V2VdV = ½ (P1/V1)(V22 - V12) = (3/2)P1V1 = (3/2)NkT1.
(b) ΔU = ΔQ - W,  W = work done by the gas.
ΔQ = ΔU + W
U = (3/2)NkT,   ΔU = (3/2)NkΔT = (3/2)Nk(T2 - T1) =  (3/2)Nk 3T1 =  (9/2)NkT1.
ΔQ = (9/2)NkT1 + (3/2)NkT1 = 6NkT1.
c = ΔQ/ΔT = 6NkT1/(3T1) = 2Nk.

Problem:

Two cylinders A and B, with equal diameters have inside two pistons with negligible mass
connected by a rigid rod.
The pistons can move freely.
The rod is a short tube with a valve.  The valve is initially closed.

Cylinder A and its piston is adiabatically insulated and cylinder B is in thermal contact with a
thermostat which has the temperature T = 27o C.
Initially the piston of cylinder A is held fixed and cylinder A contains m = 32 kg of argon at a
pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure.  Cylinder B contains oxygen at atmospheric
pressure (101.3 kPa).
Releasing the piston of cylinder A, it moves slowly (quasi-statically) until it reaches equilibrium. 
At equilibrium the volume of the gas in cylinder A has increased by a factor of eight, and in
cylinder B the oxygen's density has increased by a factor of 2.  During this process the heat Q =
747.9*104 J is delivered to the thermostat.
(a)  Use the ideal gas law and the first law of thermodynamics to show that for the process
taking place in cylinder A we have TV(2/3) = constant.
(b)  Calculate the parameters P, V, and T of the argon in the initial and final states.
(c)  After equilibrium has been reached, the valve between the cylinders is opened.   Calculate
the final pressure of the mixture of the gases.
The kilo-molar mass of argon is 40 kg/kmol.

Solution:

Concepts:
The ideal gas law, the first law of thermodynamics
Reasoning:
We are asked to track P, V, and T of two quantities of gas.
Given: 
Ar:  V2/V1 = 8, n = 800 mol.
O2:  T1 = T2 = 300 K, ρ1/ρ2 = 2 --> P1/P2 = 2, since P = ρkT and T is constant.
Details of the calculation:
(a)  We consider argon an ideal mono-atomic gas.
For an ideal gas PV = NkT. 
For an adiabatic process dU = -dW = -PdV. 
But we also have U = N(3/2)kT for an ideal gas. Therefore we have U = (3/2)PV,
dU = (3/2)(PdV + VdP). 
Equating our two expressions for dU we have -PdV = (3/2)(PdV + VdP), 
dP/P + (5/3)dV/V = 0.  PV5/3 = constant,  (PV)V(2/3)= constant,
TV(2/3) = constant.

(b)  The oxygen is in contact with a thermostat.  Its temperature and the internal energy
are constant. 
Since the net work done by the gas in the system is zero, the change in the internal energy
of the argon is ΔU = Q.
We have for the argon ΔU = (3/2)nR(T2 - T1) = (3/2)nRT1((V1/V2)(2/3) - 1) = Q.
T1 = (2/3)(1/n)(Q/R)(1/((V1/V2)(2/3) - 1)) = (2/3)(1/800)(747.9*104/8.314)(4/3) K = 1000 K.
T2 = T¼ = 250K
For the oxygen undergoing an isothermal process we have P1/P2 = ρ1/ρ2.
P1 = 1 atm, P2 = 2 atm = 2.026*105 N/m2.
From the equilibrium condition we have that for the argon P2 = 2 atm = 2.026*105 N/m2.
For the argon P1 = P2(V2/V1)(T1/T2) = 64 atm = 64.9*105 N/m2.
From the ideal gas law we now have V1 = nRT1/P1 = 1.02 m3,  V2 = 8V1 = 8.16 m3.
So for the Ar gas:
P1 = 64.9*105 N/m2, V1 = 1.02 m3, T1 = 1000 K.
P2 = 2.026*105 N/m2, V2 = 8.16 m3, T2 = 250 K.

(c)  When the valve is opened the gases mix and in thermal equilibrium the final pressure
will be P and the temperature T = 27oC = 300K .  The total number of kilomoles n is
constant.  The total volume V of the system is constant.
n = nAr + nO = PV/(RT)
Since the density of the oxygen increases by a factor of 2 during the adiabatic expansion of
the argon, we know that before the expansion the volume of the oxygen was
VO2 i = 2*(VAr f - VAr i) = 14 VAr i. 
The total volume of gas therefore is V = 15 VAr i.
 The number of moles of oxygen is nO = (1 atm)*(14 VAr i)/(R 300 K) = 580 mol
n = nAr + nO = (580 + 800) mol = 1380 mol
We now have P = nRT/V  = 2.25*105 Pa =  2.2 atm.

Problem:

A container with helium is sealed by a movable heavy piston with cross-sectional area A. 
Initially, the piston is in equilibrium, the volume of the gas is V, and the system is in thermal
equilibrium with its surroundings. The piston is then slowly lifted by an external force a distance
L and held until the thermal equilibrium with the surroundings is re-established.  After that, the
container is thermally insulated from the surroundings and piston is released.  Find the new
equilibrium position of the piston with respect to its initial position.  Will the piston come to rest
or will it oscillate about this position?  Neglect friction, the heat capacities of the piston and the
container, and the mass of the gas compared to the mass of the piston.

Solution:

Concepts:
The first law of thermodynamics, the ideal gas law
Reasoning:
The system consists of a container filled with helium gas, which we treat as an ideal,
monatomic gas.  The container is sealed by a moveable heavy piston.  Let us consider three
separate states of initial, intermediate, and final.
 
State 1:  Initial State 2:  Intermediate State 3:  Final

For each state we consider the implications of the ideal gas law, PV = nRT, and the first law
of thermodynamics,
dEint = dQ - dW,  Eint = (3/2)nRT,  dW = PdV.

Details of the calculation:

(1)  The system is initially in equilibrium.  We can apply the ideal gas law to relate the
 pressure and volume of state 1 to temperature at state 1.
P1V = nRT1,  T1 = P1V/(nR)
Environment:  Penv + Mg/A = P1, where M is the mass of the piston.

(2)  An external force raises the piston to a distance L.  Heat is supplied by the surrounding
thermal reservoir to keep the temperature constant  The change in internal energy
between state 1 and state 2 is zero.
ΔEint(1 --> 2) = 0. T2 = T1.  P2 = nRT1/(V + AL).  P2 < P1.

(3)  The system is now thermally insulated and the moveable piston is released.  What
follows is an adiabatic process, ΔQ = 0.
The piston will accelerate.  As it accelerates downward, work is done on the gas, resulting
in a change in its internal energy and temperature.  The piston will continue to accelerate
downward until the pressure P3 = P1 = Penv + Mg/A.
Both the ideal gas law and the fact first law for an adiabatic process yield an expression for
T3/T1.  We equate these expressions to find the new equilibrium position.
The ideal gas law implies P1(V + Al) = nRT3,  T3 = P1(V + Al)/(nR), where l is the distance of
the new equilibrium position above the initial position of the piston.  T3/T1 = (V + Al)/V.
As the piston falls the first law of thermodynamics implies dEint = -PdV = -PAdl'.
(3/2)nRdT = -PAdl' = -nRT Adl'/(V + Al').
dT/T = -(2/3)Adl'/(V + Al'),
ln(T3/T1)  = (2/3)ln((V + AL)/(V + Al)),
T3/T1 = ((V + AL)/(V + Al))(2/3),

(V + Al)/V = ((V+AL)/(V + Al))(2/3),

(V + Al)5/3 = V*(V + AL)(2/3).
V + Al = V3/5*(V + AL)2/5.
Al = V3/5*(V + AL)2/5 - V.
If AL << V then Al = (2/5)AL,  l = 2L/5.
The piston will oscillate.

Problem:

One mole of a monatomic gas is heated in such a way that its molar specific heat is 2R.  During
the heating, the volume of the gas is doubled.  By what factor does the temperature of the gas
change?

Solution:

Concepts:
First law of thermodynamics
Reasoning:
dU = dQ - PdV,  where U is the internal energy of the system, P is the pressure, V is the
molar volume, and Q is the heat transferred to the gas by the surroundings.  For an ideal
gas, U depends on the temperature only, U = 3RT/2.
Given dQ/dT = 2R, dQ = 2RdT.
Details of the calculation:
Using the ideal gas law, PV = RT, we have
dU = dQ - PdV =  2RdT - (RT/V)dV = (3R/2)dT
Therefore (RT/V)dV = (R/2)dT, or  2dV/V = dT/T, or V2/T = const.
Therefore, doubling the volume of the gas will increase its temperature by a factor of four.
Problem:

One mole of an ideal gas undergoes transformations that take it from point A to point B on a p-V
diagram by two different paths α and β.  Points A and B have the same temperature T = T0 (this
means that they lie on an isotherm) and the pressure pA at point A is larger than the pressure pB
at point B.  Path α takes the system from state A to state I through an isochoric (constant
volume) transformation, followed by an isobaric (constant pressure) transformation from state I
to state B.  Path β takes the system from state A to state II through an isobaric transformation,
followed by an isochoric transformation from state II to state B.  Assume that pA and pB are
known.
(a)  Find VA and VB in terms of the known quantities pA, pB and T0.
(b)  In a p-V diagram plot path α and path β
(c)  Assuming that the heat capacities CV and CP are constants what is the heat flow into the gas
for each path?  Give your results in terms of pA, pB, T0, CV and Cp.  In each case is heat absorbed
or released by the system?  Why?
(d)  In absolute value, for what process is the heat larger?  Why?

Solution:

Concepts:
The ideal gas law
Reasoning:
We use the ideal gas law together with these definitions:
at constant pressure:  dQ = nCPdT
at constant volume:  dQ = nCVdT
Details of the calculation:
(a)  Ideal gas law:  VA = RT0/pA,  VB = RT0/pB.
(b)  Points A and B lie on an isotherm.

(c)  For path α:

ΔQα = ∫T0T1 CV dT = ∫T1T0 CP dT = CV(T1 - T0) + Cp(T0 - T1) = (T0 - T1)(CP - CV)
Here T1 is the temperature of the state with VA and pB.
T1 = pBVA/R = pBT0/PA.
Therefore ΔQα = T0(1 - pB/pA)(CP - CV).
For path β:
ΔQβ = ∫T0T2 CP dT = ∫T2T0 CV dT = CP(T2 - T0) + CV(T0 - T2) = (T2 - T0)(CP - CV)
Here T2 is the temperature of the state with VB and pA.
 T2 = pBVAB/R = pAT0/PB.
Therefore ΔQβ = T0(pA/pB - 1)(CP - CV).
Since Cp > Cv, heat is absorbed in each case.
(d)  |Qβ| > |Qα|
The internal energy of the system is the same at points A and B since the temperature is
the same.  The heat absorbed along a path is therefore equal to the work done by the
system along that path,  Wβ = pA(VB - VA),  Wα = pb(VB - VA), 
|Qβ|/|Qα| = Wβ/Wα = pA/pB.

Problem:

A horizontal insulated cylinder is partitioned by a frictionless insulated piston which prevents

heat exchange between the two sides.  On each side of the piston we have 30 liters of an ideal
monatomic gas at a pressure of 1 atmosphere and a temperature of 300 K.  Heat is very slowly
injected into the gas on the left, causing the piston to move until the gas on the right is
compressed to a pressure of 2 atmosphere.
(a)  What are the final volume and temperature on the right side?
(b)  What are the final values of P, V, and T on the left side?
(c)  What is the change in the internal energy for the gas on the right side?  How much heat did
it absorb and how much work was done on it?
(b)  What is the change in the internal energy for the gas on the left side?  How much heat did it
absorb and how much work was done on it?

Solution:

Concepts:
Ideal gas law: PV = nRT,  work done by the system: W = +∫PdV
Energy conservation: ΔU = ΔQ - ΔW, adiabatic processes:  PVγ = constant
Reasoning:
The gas on the right side is compressed adiabatically.  The pressure on both sides is the
same and the total volume of the left plus the right side is constant.
Details of the calculation:
(a)  Since the compression is adiabatic, PVγ = constant. 
For an ideal monatomic gas γ = 5/3.
Vf r= Vi(Pi/Pfr)1/γ = 30 liter * (0.5)3/5 = 19.8 liter ≈ 20 liters.
From the ideal gas law Tγ/Pγ-1 = constant, Tf r= Ti(Pfr/Pi) γ-1/γ = 300 K * 22/5 ≈ 396 K.
(b)  The mechanical equilibrium implies Pf = 2 atm, the same as on the right side.
Vfl = 2Vi - Vfr ≈ 40 liters.  Then, from the ideal gas law, Tfl  = 300 K*(PV)fl/(PV)i ≈ 800 K.
(c)  ΔU = (3/2)nRΔT.  nR = PiVi/Ti.  ΔU = (3/2)PiVi(Tfr - Ti)/Ti ≈ 14.4 atm-liter.
The gas on the right side did not absorb any heat, since it was compressed adiabatically.
ΔQ = 0, ΔW = -14.4 atm-liter.  Work is done on the gas.
(d)  For the left side ΔU = (3/2)nRΔT = (3/2)PiVi(Tfl - Ti)/Ti ≈ 75 atm-liter.
ΔW = 14.4 atm-liter, since the left and right side are always in mechanical equilibrium.
The gas does work.
ΔQ = ΔU + ΔW ≈ 75 atm-liter is the amount of heat absorbed by the gas.

Problem:

Let CP and CV denote the molar specific heat of an ideal gas at constant pressure and at
constant volume, respectively.  Show that CP - CV = R.
Problem:

Let CP and CV denote the molar specific heat of an ideal diatomic gas at room temperature at
constant pressure and constant volume, respectively.  Find the ratio CP/CV.