View Full Version : Thermodynamic Application Isothermal Work
latitude
Oct22-08, 09:22 PM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
One mole of an ideal gas does 3000 J work on its surroundings as it expands isothermally to a final pressure of 1 atm and volume 25 L. Determine a) initial volume and b) Temp of gas
2. Relevant equations 3. The attempt at a solution
Well, its isothermal, so Temp is constant, so
W = nRTln(vi/vf)
It says it expands, so the initial volume is <25 L...
that's kinda all I got right now; I'm not sure how to get the next step, since both T and vi are in the equation. It must have something to do with pressure.
Andrew Mason
Oct23-08, 01:33 AM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
One mole of an ideal gas does 3000 J work on its surroundings as it expands isothermally to a final pressure of 1 atm and volume 25 L. Determine a) initial volume and b) Temp of gas
2. Relevant equations 3. The attempt at a solution
Well, its isothermal, so Temp is constant, so
W = nRTln(vi/vf)
It says it expands, so the initial volume is <25 L...
that's kinda all I got right now; I'm not sure how to get the next step, since both T and vi are in the equation. It must have something to do with pressure.How do you find the temperature of the gas? Find that and then determine what ln(vi/vf) has to be if W=3000J.
AM
latitude
Oct23-08, 08:11 AM
PV = nRT
(1.013 x 10^5)(10 m^3) = (1)(8.314)T
T = Some really big, way illogical number? Unless the moles thing is wrong...
ARGH. This one is frustrating me. I'm wondering if I don't have to find volume first??
latitude
Oct23-08, 09:30 AM
Oooh...
3000 J = nR(PV/nR)(ln(vi/vf))
3000 J = (10.13 x 10^5)(25 L) ln(vi/25)
1.184 x 10^-3 = vi/25
vi = 0.029 L??
Possible??
EDIT: No, cause my final temp is still 304606.7 K !!
Andrew Mason
Oct24-08, 02:56 PM
Oooh...
3000 J = nR(PV/nR)(ln(vi/vf))
3000 J = (10.13 x 10^5)(25 L) ln(vi/25)
1.184 x 10^-3 = vi/25
vi = 0.029 L??
Possible??
EDIT: No, cause my final temp is still 304606.7 K !!Start with PV=nRT
P_iV_i = nRT = P_fV_f
You know P_f, V_f and n so work out T. Be careful to use the correct units for volume. Units are litres or 10^-3 m^3.
Then, from W = nRTln(vi/vf), work out what vi is.
AM
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