[Thermo.] thermal expansion and isothermal compressibility coefficients.

In summary: So, dV is negative when dP is positive. In summary, the conversation discusses a certain metal with specific thermal expansion and compressibility coefficients, as well as an insulating layer of Invar. Using the equations given, the final pressure and highest possible temperature are calculated for a change in temperature, and it is determined that the metal barely expands due to the insulating layer. The mistake in the initial attempt was not accounting for the fact that the metal does not expand due to the insulating layer.
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Homework Statement



A certain metal whose thermal expansion coefficient [tex]\beta[/tex] is 5,0 × 10^-5 °C^-1 and whose isothermal compressibility [tex]\kappa_T[/tex] is 1,2 × 10^-6 atm^-1 is at an initial pressure of 1 atm and an initial temperature of 20°C. A thick layer of Invar is thermally insulating the system. The Invar's coefficients are not to be taken into consideration.

a) What would be the final pressure if the temperature raised to 32°C?

b) If the layer could resist to a pressure up to 1200 atm, what would be the highest possible temperature achievable?

Homework Equations



[tex]\kappa_T = \frac{-1}{V} (\frac{\partial V}{\partial P})_T [/tex][tex]\beta = \frac{1}{V} (\frac{\partial V}{\partial T})_P [/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



We know from the statement that:

[tex]\kappa_T = \frac{-1}{V} (\frac{\partial V}{\partial P})_T = 1,2 \times 10^{-6}[/tex]

[tex]\beta = \frac{1}{V} (\frac{\partial V}{\partial T})_P = 5,0 \times 10^{-5}[/tex]

a)

Working out both expressions to a common equation gives us

[tex]- 1,2 \times 10^{-6} dP = \frac{dV}{V} [/tex]

[tex]5,0 \times 10^{-5} dT = \frac{dV}{V} [/tex]

Therefore,

[tex]- 1,2 \times 10^{-6} dP = 5,0 \times 10^{-5} dT [/tex]

Integrating,

[tex] - 1,2 \times 10^{-6} \int_{P_i}^{P_f}\ dP = 5,0 \times 10^{-5} \int_{T_i}^{T_f}\ dT [/tex]

[tex] - 1,2 \times 10^{-6} (P_f - 1) = 5,0 \times 10^{-5} (32 - 20) [/tex]

[tex]P_f = 1 - 500 = -499\ atm [/tex]

Is this correct? A negative pressure?

b)

[tex]- 1,2 \times 10^{-6} (1200 - 1) = 5,0 \times 10^{-5} (T_f - 20) [/tex]

[tex]T_f = -8.776\ degrees\ Celsius[/tex]

So what am I doing wrong here?______________________________

EDIT: Is it possible that [tex]\kappa_T = - 1,2 \times 10^{-6} [/tex] instead of [tex]+ 1,2 \times 10^{-6} [/tex] ?

That would work out, it seems.
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
Because the invar has remarkably low thermal expansion coefficient and it covers the metal, the metal barely expands: [tex]dV = 0[/tex] (this is the important thing you missed!).
One thing to notice: [tex]dV = \frac{\partial V}{\partial P}dP + \frac{\partial V}{\partial T}dT[/tex] (this is where you made the mistake!).
You can work things out from here, can't you? :smile:

P.S: [tex]K_T[/tex] cannot be negative, because the larger the pressure is, the more the metal is compressed, the smaller the volume becomes.
 

Related to [Thermo.] thermal expansion and isothermal compressibility coefficients.

1. What is thermal expansion?

Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to increase in size or volume when heated. This is due to the increase in kinetic energy of the particles within the material, causing them to vibrate and take up more space.

2. How is thermal expansion measured?

Thermal expansion is measured using a coefficient, known as the thermal expansion coefficient, which represents the change in size or volume per unit change in temperature. It is typically measured in units of length per degree Celsius or Kelvin (e.g. mm/m°C or m/mK).

3. What is the difference between thermal expansion and isothermal compressibility?

Thermal expansion and isothermal compressibility are two properties that describe how a material responds to changes in temperature and pressure, respectively. Thermal expansion is a measure of how much a material changes in size or volume when heated, while isothermal compressibility is a measure of how much a material's volume changes when subjected to a change in pressure at a constant temperature.

4. How are thermal expansion and isothermal compressibility coefficients related?

Thermal expansion and isothermal compressibility coefficients are related through the equation: α = βKT, where α is the thermal expansion coefficient, β is the isothermal compressibility coefficient, K is the bulk modulus, and T is the temperature. This equation shows that the two coefficients are proportional to each other and are dependent on the material's bulk modulus.

5. Why are thermal expansion and isothermal compressibility coefficients important?

Thermal expansion and isothermal compressibility coefficients are important because they help us understand how materials respond to changes in temperature and pressure. This information is crucial in various fields such as engineering, materials science, and geology, where the behavior of materials under different conditions is important for designing and predicting the performance of structures and systems.

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