Calculating Work, Volume, and Energy Change for Isothermal Compression

  • Thread starter Paymemoney
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In summary: Thanks for your help!In summary, a 2.00-mol sample of helium gas initially at 300K and 0.400 atm is compressed isothermally to 1.20atm, assuming ideal gas behavior. The final volume of the gas is 0.0410m^3, the work done on the gas is 5.48 kJ, and the change in internal energy is -5.48 kJ. It is important to check units and use consistent values for R and pressure to obtain accurate results.
  • #1
Paymemoney
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Homework Statement


A 2.00-mol sample of helium gas initially at 300K and 0.400 atm is compressed isothermally to 1.20atm. Assume the helium behaves as an ideal gas, find (a) the final volume of the gas, (b) the work done on the gas, and (c) the energy temperature?

Homework Equations


PV = nRT

[tex]W = nRTln(\frac{Pi}{Pf})[/tex]

[tex]\delta{U} = Q - W[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


This is what i have done can anyone tell me what is wrong, because it is not the same as the book's answer.
a)
[tex]Vf = \frac{2 * 8.314*10^3 * 300}{1.20}[/tex]

[tex]Vf = 4157000m^3[/tex]b)
[tex]W = 2 * 8.314 * 10^3 * 300 * ln(\frac{1.20}{0.400})[/tex]
W = 5480317.541

c)
[tex]\delta{U} = -5480317.541[/tex] meaning this is compression

The correct answers for the following are:

a) 0.0410 [tex]m^3[/tex]
b) 5.48 kJ
c) -5.48 kJ

P.S
 
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  • #2
It's the classic error: not checking your units.
 
  • #3
could you tell me specifically which values have the wrong units?
 
  • #4
Check your units for "R"
 
  • #5
how do you convert mol into kmol??
 
  • #6
ok would 2mol be 0.200 kmol because 1 mol is 1000mols?
 
  • #7
yes because 1000 moles= 1 kmol
 
  • #8
after i changed the units i still didn't get the correct answer:

This is what i changed:

[tex]Vf = \frac{.200 * 8.314*10^3 * 300}{1.20}[/tex]
[tex]Vf = 415700m^3[/tex]
 
  • #9
Paymemoney said:
after i changed the units i still didn't get the correct answer:

This is what i changed:

[tex]Vf = \frac{.200 * 8.314*10^3 * 300}{1.20}[/tex]
[tex]Vf = 415700m^3[/tex]
This is an enormous volume and obviously wrong!

What are your units for pressure?

What is the initial volume? Since T is unchanged, what is the final volume if the pressure is 3 x greater?

AM
 
  • #10
It's .002 Kmole, change 1.2 atm to units of pressure in N/m^2 and 1 J = 1 N*m
 
  • #11
I am not sure why you are using Kmol. It is much easier to use moles and R = 8.314 (J/mol - K) and pressure as J/m^3 or N/m^2

AM
 
  • #12
My reference uses R= 8.314 kJ/kmole-K same as 8.314 J/mole-K pick your poison but keep the units consistent
 
  • #13
Paymemoney said:
[tex]Vf = \frac{.200 * 8.314*10^3 * 300}{1.20 * 1.013*10^5}[/tex]
[tex]Vf = 0.0410m^3[/tex]

i changed the units of atm to Pa and i got the correct answer.
 
  • #14
Paymemoney said:
i changed the units of atm to Pa and i got the correct answer.
I trust that you used .002Kmol not .2Kmol. as you have shown.

AM
 
  • #15
oh yeh oops typo.
 

Related to Calculating Work, Volume, and Energy Change for Isothermal Compression

1. What is an isothermal process?

An isothermal process is a thermodynamic process in which the temperature of a system remains constant throughout. This means that the heat added to or removed from the system is in perfect equilibrium with the surrounding environment.

2. What are some examples of isothermal processes?

Some examples of isothermal processes include the expansion of a gas in a container with a movable piston, the melting of ice at 0°C, and the boiling of water at 100°C.

3. How is an isothermal process different from an adiabatic process?

An isothermal process involves no change in temperature, while an adiabatic process involves no heat exchange with the surroundings. In an isothermal process, the system's internal energy remains constant, while in an adiabatic process, the system's internal energy can change.

4. What is the ideal gas law and how does it relate to isothermal processes?

The ideal gas law is a formula that describes the relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature of an ideal gas. It states that the product of pressure and volume is directly proportional to the temperature, which means that in an isothermal process, if the volume of the gas increases, the pressure must decrease to maintain a constant temperature.

5. What are some real-life applications of isothermal processes?

Isothermal processes have many practical applications, including refrigeration systems, heat engines, and thermometers. They are also used in chemical reactions and industrial processes to maintain a constant temperature and ensure efficient energy transfer.

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