Expansion of a Gas into a Vacuum

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the thermodynamic analysis of a gas expansion into a vacuum, specifically involving air entering an evacuated flask at 1 atm and 17°C. The calculated final temperature of the air in the flask, assuming perfect gas behavior and a molal heat capacity at constant pressure of 7.00 calories per degree, is 132 °C (405 K). The initial assumption of a throttling process with constant enthalpy was challenged, leading to the conclusion that the temperature change during free expansion is zero, maintaining the initial temperature.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamic principles, particularly the behavior of ideal gases.
  • Familiarity with the concepts of enthalpy and heat capacity, specifically Cp and Cv.
  • Knowledge of the first law of thermodynamics as it applies to gas expansion.
  • Ability to perform calculations involving molal heat capacities and temperature changes.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of free expansion of ideal gases in thermodynamics.
  • Learn about the derivation and application of the first law of thermodynamics in gas processes.
  • Explore the differences between throttling processes and free expansion scenarios.
  • Investigate the implications of heat capacity variations in different thermodynamic processes.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in thermodynamics, mechanical engineers, and anyone studying gas behavior in vacuum conditions will benefit from this discussion.

kurebo
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Homework Statement


A stop-cock which connects an evacuated flask with the atmosphere is opened and
air at 1 atm and 17°C (290 K) enters. (a) What will be the temperature of the air in the flask
before any heat has been transferred to the walls of the flask? Assume air to be a perfect
gas and its molal heat capacity at constant pressure to be 7.00 calories per degree.
Answer=132 °C (405 K)

2. The attempt at a solution

I started working on this under the assumption that it was a throttling question with constant enthalpy:
H2-H1=0
but I'm stuck at the point where you define enthalpy for each state. You can define the work done by the gas as:
w=int(Cv dT,T,290,T2) where Cv=Cp-R (Cp=7 cal/K;Cv=5.013 cal/K)

Any ideas on where to go?
 
Last edited:
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Sounds like a free expansion of an ideal gas problem so the temperature change will be zero, i.e. the final temp is the same as the initial temp.

CS
 

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