Recognitions:
Homework Help

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Show that when an ideal gas expands adiabatically, the temperature and pressure are related by the differential equation:
$$\frac{dT}{dP} = \frac{2T}{5P}$$

2. Relevant equations
Ideal gas law

3. The attempt at a solution
$$PV = nkT$$

$$T = \frac{PV}{nk}$$

$$\frac{dT}{dP} = \frac{1}{nk}(V + P\frac{dV}{dP})$$

So what is dV/dP?

$$PV^\gamma = C$$

$$V = C^{\frac{1}{\gamma}} P^{\frac{-1}{\gamma}}$$

$$\frac{dV}{dP} = C ^ {\frac{1}{\gamma}} \frac{-1}{\gamma}P^{\frac{-1}{\gamma} - 1}$$

$$\frac{dV}{dP} = \frac{-1}{\gamma} VP^{-1}$$
so

$$\frac{dT}{dP} = \frac{1}{nk}[V - \frac{V}{\gamma}]$$

But this gives dT/dP ~= 1/3 T/P (using gamma~=3/2), instead of 2/5 T/P. Can anyone see where I went wrong?

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 Recognitions: Homework Help Science Advisor Err. never mind, gamma should be 5/3, not 3/2, in which case this does give the correct answer.