Exact differentials (thermody)

In summary: But he is just replacing other equations.So he is not integrating twice, he is combining the two integrals, and evaluating them at the same time.In summary, the conversation is about a worked problem that illustrates exact differentials. The problem involves integrating a differential on two different paths, one being a straight line and the other being a parabola. The integrations are from (0,0) to (1,1) and the final answer should be 1. However, the integrals provided do not make sense and it is unclear why they are integrating twice. After further discussion, it is determined that the professor is not actually integrating twice, but rather combining two integrals and evaluating them at the same time.
  • #1
jenzao
48
0

Homework Statement



This isn't exactly HW problem , but a "simple" worked problem that is supposed to illustrate exact differentials...

Consider a differential dZ =2xy⋅dx+x^2dy integrated
on two paths where Path I is x=y and Path II is x^2=y.

The integrations are from (x,y)=(0,0) to (x,y)=(1,1).

Then it works the problem, and says this:

delta Z sub-i = 2*integral from 1 to 0 xy*dx + integral from 1 to 0 x^2 dy

= 2 integral from 1 to 0 x^2dx + integral from 1 to 0 y^2dy = 1



Homework Equations


Why are they integrating twice, to arrive at x=1?

If this doesn't make any sense, I will upload the pdf file, I am have trouble writing out all the symbols using basic script.

The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
jenzao said:

Homework Statement



This isn't exactly HW problem , but a "simple" worked problem that is supposed to illustrate exact differentials...

It's hard to read what you wrote. Let me TeX it:
Consider a differential [tex]dZ =2xy dx+x^2 dy[/tex] integrated
on two paths where Path I is x=y and Path II is x^2=y.

The integrations are from (x,y)=(0,0) to (x,y)=(1,1).

Then it works the problem, and says this:

delta Z sub-i =[tex] 2*\int_1^0 xy~dx + \int_1^0 x^2 dy

= 2 \int_1^0 x^2 dx + \int_1^0 y^2dy = 1 [/tex]



Homework Equations


Why are they integrating twice, to arrive at x=1?

If this doesn't make any sense, I will upload the pdf file, I am have trouble writing out all the symbols using basic script.

The Attempt at a Solution


is that what you meant to write? I don't understand why you put your integrations from 1 to 0 (instead of 0 to 1). The integrals you wrote down don't seem to make sense to me. Are you sure these are the correct ones? The first two ones are good, but the last two ones (using the line y=x^2) are wrong.

And why do you ask about integrating "twice"? What twice are you referring to? They simply want you to show that the integral around two different paths gives the same answer.
 
  • #3
nrqed said:
It's hard to read what you wrote. Let me TeX it:


is that what you meant to write? I don't understand why you put your integrations from 1 to 0 (instead of 0 to 1). The integrals you wrote down don't seem to make sense to me. Are you sure these are the correct ones? The first two ones are good, but the last two ones (using the line y=x^2) are wrong.

And why do you ask about integrating "twice"? What twice are you referring to? They simply want you to show that the integral around two different paths gives the same answer.



For the first path: take from the origin to (x=1,y=0) and then from (x=1,y=0) to (x=1,y=1).

These are two segments. On the first segment (origin to (1,0), you have x varies from 0 to 1, y is constant at y=0 and dy=0. So set dy=0, y=1 and integrate x from 0 to 1.

For the second part of the segment (1,0) to (1,1), x is held constant at x=1 and y varies from 0 to 1. So set x=1, dx=0 and integrate y from 0 to 1.

Add the two results from the two segments to get your final answer.

Now, repeat for the second path which is along the parabola y=x^2. You may reexpress everything in terms of x. Replace y by x^2 and then replace dy by 2x dx. Integrate your expression over x from 0 to 1. Your final answer will give the same result as previously which will be equal to one.
 
  • #4
Thanks a lot for helping me with this.
your right, it should be from 0 to 1, my mistake.
The 2nd integrations are exactly as professor wrote them (I uploaded pdf file--its on pg 19).
This is why I am asking about integrating twice:
If we integrate xy with respect to x, we get x^2 right?
But then after we have integrated it (to get x^2) the integral sign should disappear shouldn't it?

But in order for the equation to = 1, you have to integrate a second time, specifically getting 2*(2/3) + (1/3) = 1

Isnt that integrating twice? Obviously I am stumbling on something but i don't know what it is.
Thanks for the help!
 
  • #5
sorry i meant to say 2*(1/3) + (1/3) = 1
 
  • #6
(here is pdf file that I pulling this from)
 

Attachments

  • Lecture452_1_08.pdf
    37 KB · Views: 207
  • #7
jenzao said:
Thanks a lot for helping me with this.
your right, it should be from 0 to 1, my mistake.
The 2nd integrations are exactly as professor wrote them (I uploaded pdf file--its on pg 19).
They don't make any sense to me! Are they supposed to be along the parabola y =x^2??
This is why I am asking about integrating twice:
If we integrate xy with respect to x, we get x^2 right?
It depends! It depends of the path you are following!
If you are going along the straight line (0,0) to (1,0) then y =0 so [itex] \int xy dx =0 [/itex]
If you are integrating along the straight line from (1,0) to (1,1), then x is held constant so dx=0 and the integral is again zero. If you integrate along the parabola y=x^2 from (0,0) to 91,1) then you have
[tex] \int_0^1 dx ~ x^3 = 1/4 [/tex]

So you must specify the path you are following! And you don't integrate twice.



You know, I just realized that the second expression would make sense if the integral was along the straight line y=x instead of the parabola y=x^2! Are you sure the prof did not say y=x??
 
  • #8
yes, he explains 2 paths. Path 1 is y=x.
But how can the above equation = 1 unless you integrate twice?

So first you go from xy to x^2
then (2nd time) you go from x^2 to (1/3)x^3

So, we're going from 0 to 1, so from the above equation you would have 2(1/3) + (1/3) = 1

But I arrived at 1, by integrating twice.
(??)
 
  • #9
OK I figured out why i though integrating twice.
The first part he inserts the equality y=x (for path 1). that's where i thought it was being integrated.
 

1. What are exact differentials in thermodynamics?

An exact differential in thermodynamics is a mathematical representation of a change in a thermodynamic property that depends only on the initial and final states of a system, and not the path taken to reach those states. It is used to calculate the total change in a thermodynamic property, such as energy or entropy, in a reversible process.

2. How are exact differentials calculated?

Exact differentials are calculated using partial derivatives of the thermodynamic properties with respect to the independent variables, such as temperature, pressure, and volume. These derivatives are then integrated over the path between the initial and final states to obtain the total change in the property.

3. What is the difference between exact and inexact differentials?

Exact differentials are those that depend only on the initial and final states of a system, while inexact differentials depend on the path taken to reach those states. Inexact differentials are often used to represent changes in extensive properties, such as work or heat, which do not have unique values for a given state.

4. Why are exact differentials important in thermodynamics?

Exact differentials are important in thermodynamics because they allow for the accurate calculation of changes in thermodynamic properties, which are essential for understanding and predicting the behavior of physical systems. They also help to ensure that thermodynamic processes are reversible, allowing for maximum efficiency.

5. Can exact differentials be converted to inexact differentials?

Yes, exact differentials can be converted to inexact differentials by integrating over a non-reversible path. This process is known as path integration and is often used to calculate changes in extensive properties, such as work or heat, which do not have unique values for a given state.

Similar threads

  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
416
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
300
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
482
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
25
Views
309
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
530
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
752
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
542
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
0
Views
138
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
18
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
14
Views
197
Back
Top