Calculating Internal Energy Change in Isobaric Expansion

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the change in internal energy for an ideal gas undergoing isobaric expansion. The scenario involves an ideal gas initially at 230 K, expanding at a constant pressure of 3.65 kPa, with a volume change from 1.7 m³ to 6.8 m³ and a heat transfer of 25.1 kJ to the gas.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between heat transfer, work done, and internal energy change. There is an exploration of using specific heat for an ideal gas at constant pressure and the application of the first law of thermodynamics. Questions arise regarding the interpretation of the heat transferred to the gas and its relevance to the internal energy calculation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing different approaches to the problem. Some guidance has been provided regarding the relationship between heat, work, and internal energy, but there is no explicit consensus on the final calculation method or interpretation of the heat transfer.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the textbook does not cover the topic in depth, leading to some uncertainty in applying the concepts. There is also a mention of needing to determine the final temperature and the number of moles of gas involved in the calculations.

nemzy
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question: An ideal gas initially at 230 K undergoes an isobaric expansion at 3.65 kPa.

If the volume increases from 1.7 m^3 to 6.8 m^3 and 25.1 kJ is transferred to the gas by heat, what is the change in its internal energy?


i know that isobaric expansion means that the pressure is constant. however, i don't know how to calculate the internal energy. my proff went over this part very briefly and the book doesn't cover much about this topic.
 
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Use the specific heat for an ideal gas at constant pressure.
 
so internal energy = q+w

work = -p*change in volume

which is (3.65kpa*1000)(6.8m^3-1.70m^3)

and q= n*Cp*change in T

and Cp = 20.775 J/mol*K

i know the initial T, and could find the final T
n is also easy to find

however, what does the 25.1 kj transferred to the gas by heat mean and how does it relate to this problem?
 
Last edited:
Heat (thermal energy) is being added to the system and the gas expands. As the gas expands it does work. The change in internal energy will be the difference between the heat added and the work done by the gas.
 

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