Adiabatic Process in a heat engine

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The discussion revolves around solving a heat engine problem involving a diatomic gas and its pV cycle. Participants are attempting to determine key parameters such as pressure, volume, and temperature at various points in the cycle, particularly at point 2. There is confusion regarding the application of the Ideal Gas Law and the equations for work and energy changes during the processes. A suggestion is made to use the equation for adiabatic processes, pvγ = constant, to assist in calculations. The conversation highlights the importance of accurately calculating moles and temperature to solve the problem effectively.
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Homework Statement


A heat engine uses a diatomic gas that follows the pV cycle shown in Figure.
Part 2→3 is adiabat, part 3→1 is isotherm, V=1040 cm3, P=100 kPa, T1=212 K.

Phys.jpg



Determine the pressure at point 2.

Determine the volume at point 2.

Determine the temperature at point 2.

Find Ws for process 1→2.


Find Q for process 1→2.

Tries 0/9
Find ∆E for process 1→2.

Tries 0/9
Find Ws for process 2→3.

Tries 0/9
Find Q for process 2→3.
0 J

Find ∆E for process 2→3.

Find Ws for process 3→1.

Find Q for process 3→1.

Tries 0/9
Find ∆E for process 3→1.

Tries 0/9
What is the thermal efficiency of this heat engine? (in percent)

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



phys3-1.jpg



I know how to do the rest if I can find the temperature at point 2. I tried 2 different ways.

1. I tried using the Ideal Gas law PV=nRT and solved for mols at pt 1. Then tried using that for point 2 and then used PV=nRT but that didn't work.

2. Then I tried just simply using PV/T=PV/T and came up with the same answer and they are both wrong.

What am I doing wrong?
 
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this would help out a lot!
 
WHat is the equation i use to find the Work from point 2 to point 3?
 
It looks like there is a typo here. We know pv=constant for an isotherm, yet we have pv=2PV at 1, and pv=PV at 3. I suspect it should be p=0.5P at 3, judging from the scale of the p-axis.

For the adiabat, a useful equation is
pvγ = constant​

(Look up γ[/SUP] for an ideal diatomic gas in your textbook, if you're not sure what it is.)
 
I understand what that symbol means for monatomic its 5/3 and for diatomic its 7/5. But for the W for 2-->3 I tried using the following...

W=nCv(delta T)
n-mols Cv-constant volume Delta T- Change in temp.

W=(.118 mol)(5/2)(8.31)(369.1-212)=138
 
I get a different number of moles than you did, calculated using p, v, and T at point 1. Perhaps you should reproduce that calculation.

I agree with the 369 K temperature at point 3.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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