Adiabatic Expansion: Relating T & P with dT/dP

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on the relationship between temperature (T) and pressure (P) during the adiabatic expansion of an ideal gas, specifically deriving the differential equation dT/dP = (2/(f+2))(T/P). The user begins with the ideal gas law PV=NkT and rearranges it to express temperature in terms of pressure. The discussion emphasizes the importance of taking the derivative correctly and simplifying the resulting expression to establish the relationship between T and P.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Ideal Gas Law (PV=NkT)
  • Familiarity with adiabatic processes in thermodynamics
  • Knowledge of calculus, specifically differentiation
  • Concept of specific heat capacities (f and gamma)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of adiabatic processes in thermodynamics
  • Learn about the specific heat capacities and their significance in gas laws
  • Practice differentiation techniques in calculus, focusing on implicit differentiation
  • Explore the implications of the ideal gas law in various thermodynamic processes
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Students studying thermodynamics, physics enthusiasts, and anyone interested in understanding the behavior of ideal gases during adiabatic expansion.

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Homework Statement



Show that when an ideal gas expands adiabatically, the temperature and pressure are related by the differential equation: dT/dP = (2/f+2)(T/P).

Homework Equations



PV=NkT
VT^(f/2) = constant
V^(gamma)*P = constant

The Attempt at a Solution



I started off with the formula for ideal gases, PV=NkT.

I rearranged to get T=(PV/Nk).

At this point I don't know where to go. I don't see any equations I can use to make substitutions and I'm not sure if I should take the derivative at this point or not?
 
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Use the ideal gas law to replace V in the second "relevant equation" that you posted.
Solve for T in terms of p.
Take the required derivative dT/dp.
 
Okay. I'm getting a little tripped up at the derivative part. I have at this point:

T = (c/Nk*P)^(2/f+2) , where c is a constant

Taking the derivative will bring down the 2/f+2, but that leaves me with (2/f+2)-1 as the exponent plus the derivative of the inside.
 
A constant is a constant is a constant so you can write

T=CP^{\frac{2}{f+2}}

Then you say that

\frac{dT}{dP}=C\frac{2}{f+2}\:P^{\frac{2}{f+2}-1}

I am not sure what you mean by "the derivative of the inside." What do you get when you simplify the exponent? How is that related to the expression of T as a function of P?
 

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