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bmartz
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Homework Statement
A three-step cycle is undergone by 3.8 mol of an ideal diatomic gas:
(1) the temperature of the gas is increased from 210 K to 550 K at constant volume;
(2) the gas is then isothermally expanded to its original pressure;
(3) the gas is then contracted at constant pressure back to its original volume.
Throughout the cycle, the molecules rotate but do not oscillate. What is the efficiency of the cycle?
Homework Equations
Q=nCvΔT
Q=nCpΔT
Cv=5/2 R
Cp=7/2 R
W = nRTln(V2/V1)
ε=Wnet/QH
The Attempt at a Solution
I know I need to find the total work and heat flow in. For step one it is easy enough, W=0 and Q=nCvΔT.
I'm stuck at step 2. I know that since it is isothermal ΔEint is 0, so Q=W. I am trying to calculate by:
W = nRTln(V2/V1)
But without any initial or final pressure or volume values I am lost.