First Law of Thermodynamics and temperature

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the change in internal energy (ΔU) of a gas in a toy balloon as its temperature increases from 20°C to 52.23°C. Participants are trying to apply the ideal gas law and the formula for internal energy, but they encounter discrepancies in their calculations, particularly regarding the number of moles (n) and the constants used. There is confusion about unit conversions, especially between cubic meters and liters, which affects their results. Ultimately, after recalculating with correct values and units, participants agree on a final answer for ΔU, highlighting the importance of using consistent SI units in thermodynamic calculations. Accurate calculations lead to a better understanding of the first law of thermodynamics in this context.
Gee Wiz
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Homework Statement



A toy balloon is initially at a temperature of T = 20°C. Its initial volume is 0.0042 m3 (It is a 10 cm radius sphere). Assume that the pressure in the balloon always equals atmospheric pressure, 101.3 kPa.
The new temp was found to be 52.23°C
By how many Joules did the internal energy of the gas in the balloon increase? Air is almost entirely diatomic gas.
ΔU =?

Homework Equations


T*N*α*K
pv=rnt
pv=kNt

The Attempt at a Solution


5/2*(52.23-20)*1.381e-23*N

n=pv/rt
N=n*6.022e23

I keep getting 1.17e-4, and it says i am off by a power of 10. I am not sure where I am messing up
 
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What is your equation for change in internal energy. I am trying to work this problem but I get a much different answer so I am probably using the wrong equation.

What did you get for n, the number of moles?
 
Last edited:
Gee Wiz said:

Homework Statement



A toy balloon is initially at a temperature of T = 20°C. Its initial volume is 0.0042 m3 (It is a 10 cm radius sphere). Assume that the pressure in the balloon always equals atmospheric pressure, 101.3 kPa.
The new temp was found to be 52.23°C
By how many Joules did the internal energy of the gas in the balloon increase? Air is almost entirely diatomic gas.
ΔU =?

Homework Equations


T*N*α*K
pv=rnt
pv=kNt

The Attempt at a Solution


5/2*(52.23-20)*1.381e-23*N

n=pv/rt
N=n*6.022e23

I keep getting 1.17e-4, and it says i am off by a power of 10. I am not sure where I am messing up

What did you get for N?

ehild
 
it is the degrees of freedom (5/2 for diatomic)*(Temperature)*(K which is a constant 1.381e-23)*(# of molecules)
 
So, what did you get for N or n?
 
n= 1.746e-7
N=1.05e17
 
I think your value for n is incorrect. Did you get it from the equation

PV = nRT

?
 
Yes. I did 1*.0042e-3/(.08206*293)..converting the kPa's to atms and Celsius to k
 
Using PV = nRT I have always used P in Pascals, V in meters^3 n in moles R = 8.32 and T = 293.

If you use P in atm, then is the constant 0.082 correct?
 
  • #10
yes i think so
 
  • #11
My previous post is incorrect. I should have said the volume is in liters, not meter^3
 
  • #12
right, and I think that m^3=mL=.001L
 
  • #13
So when I change my calculation from m^3 to liters I get an answer closer to yours but not exact.

so, to find n, we use pressure in Pascals, volume in liters, R = 8.3, and K = 293.
so what do you get for n?
 
  • #14
1.74e-4
 
  • #15
I agree. Now, change in internal energy is (5/2)Rn(delta T)?
 
  • #16
I believe so
 
  • #17
I get (5/2)(8.31)(1.74E-4)(32.2) = I can't give the answer
 
  • #18
I get the same message with that answer that I do with my previous one. "It appears you have made a power of ten error"
 
  • #19
In PV = nRT, [P] = N/m2, [n] = mol, [T] = K and with R = 8.31, [R] = J K-1mol-1 => [V] = J m2/N = m3, no?
 
  • #20
Are you using Quest? sometimes their answers are wrong. I get .116 if I use the equation above or if I use your original equation. I think you made a math error when you got 1.17 E-4.
 
  • #21
I am not 100% sure about your units for P and V (it may just be notation i am not familiar with)
I usually see [P]=atm or pascals, [V]=L (m^3=mL)
 
  • #22
It's smart physics
 
  • #23
I think we agree on n = -1.74E-4, the units of p and v are done with.

This means that N = (1.74E-4)(6.022E23) =1.04E20

Just recalculate your first answer. I think you made a math error.

1.17E-4 is not correct didn't you get .117?
 
  • #24
Here is everything I am doing

=(5/2)*(1.381e-23)*(32.23)*( (1*.0042)/(.08206*293) )* (6.022e23)
 
  • #25
I don't recognize some of your constants and conversions but...

Take your equation from post #1, 5/2*(52.23-20)*1.381e-23*N and plug in the value for N

N = (1.74E-4)(6.02E23) = 1.04E20 and what do you get? .116 or .117 I think this is the correct answer.

Check your math and we will agree even though smart Physics says we are off. I don't believe it.
 
  • #26
I get .117
 
  • #27
.117 is not what you reported in post #1. I think .117 is correct.
 
  • #28
1m^3 is 1000 liters. So the balloon volume is 4.2 liters. From the ideal gas law, the number of gram moles n = 0.175. So ΔU=2.5nRΔT=1.156 liter-atm. How many Joules is that?
 
  • #29
Ahh, I see my mistake. I was using from units for the volume. Thank you! I got the correct answer now. I appreciate everyone's help
 
  • #30
I feel like an idiot :-(
 
  • #31
Why do you not use SI units? And you do not need to evaluate n or N.

PV=nRT. ΔU=5/2 (nR) ΔT. -->

nR=PV/T , ΔU=2.5 PV ΔT/T.

P=101.3 kPa=1.013 e5 Pa. V=4.2 e-3 m3. T=293 K, ΔT=32.23 K.

The result is in joules.
 
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