Calculating Entropy Change for an Ideal Gas Expansion

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the entropy change for an ideal gas undergoing isothermal and irreversible expansion. Participants explore the necessary equations and concepts related to entropy, work, and heat transfer in this thermodynamic process.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents initial calculations for entropy changes, including values for the system, surroundings, and universe.
  • Another participant notes the need for a reversible path to calculate entropy changes accurately and questions the provided values.
  • A participant asserts that the entropy change for the surroundings should be negative, prompting a request for detailed calculations.
  • Some participants discuss using the formula delta S = nRln(Vf/Vi) for the system's entropy and mention the importance of accounting for the sign in calculations for the surroundings.
  • There is a clarification that for isothermal processes, the change in internal energy (dU) is zero, leading to the conclusion that heat (Q) equals the negative of work (w).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correctness of the initial entropy calculations, particularly regarding the sign of the entropy change for the surroundings. The discussion remains unresolved as participants refine their calculations and reasoning without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully detailed their calculations or assumptions, leading to uncertainty about the accuracy of the entropy change values presented. The discussion highlights the complexity of calculating entropy in irreversible processes.

chemochem
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MENTOR NOTE: NO TEMPLATE BECAUSE SUMITTED TO WRONG FORUM.

3.1) A quantity of 0.10 mol of an ideal gas A initially at 22.2 degrees C is expanded from 0.200 dm3 to 2.42 dm3 . Calculate the values of work (w), heat (q), internal energy change (delta U), entropy change of the system (deltaSsys), entropy change of the surroundings (deltaSsurr), and total entropy change (delta S univ) if the process is carried out isothermally and irreversibly against an external pressure of 1.00 atm.

The question is how do I calculate entropy? I tried something, and this is what I got:
delta S system=2,0728 JK-1
delta S surroundings=0.76 JK-1
delta S universe=2,8328 JK-1

Can you please check this out?
 
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chemochem said:
3.1) A quantity of 0.10 mol of an ideal gas A initially at 22.2 degrees C is expanded from 0.200 dm3 to 2.42 dm3 . Calculate the values of work (w), heat (q), internal energy change (delta U), entropy change of the system (deltaSsys), entropy change of the surroundings (deltaSsurr), and total entropy change (delta S univ) if the process is carried out isothermally and irreversibly against an external pressure of 1.00 atm.

The question is how do I calculate entropy? I tried something, and this is what I got:
delta S system=2,0728 JK-1
delta S surroundings=0.76 JK-1
delta S universe=2,8328 JK-1

Can you please check this out?
Hi Chemochem. Welcome to PF!

It is difficult to check what you have done since you have not explained what you did.

To calculate the change in entropy, you need to calculate ##\Delta S = \int_i^f \frac{dQ_{rev}}{T}## where dQrev is the heat flow during a reversible process from the initial to final states. (Note: For irreversible processes, the reversible path between initial and final states of the system will not be the same path as the reversible path between the initial and final states of the surroundings). In this case, what would be a reversible path between the initial and final states for the system? For the surroundings? Calculate ##\Delta S_{sys} \text{ and } \Delta S_{surr}## and add them together to the ##\Delta S_{univ}##.

AM
 
Well, your delta S for the surroundings is definitely wrong. It should be negative. Show us the details please.
 
I used delta S=nRln(Vf/Vi) for delta S system and then I found a reversible path and calculated the value as being 0.76 JK-1 for delta S surroundings (it turned out to be -w/T). I may have forgotten to write the minus sign, I don`t know.
 
chemochem said:
I used delta S=nRln(Vf/Vi) for delta S system and then I found a reversible path and calculated the value as being 0.76 JK-1 for delta S surroundings (it turned out to be -w/T). I may have forgotten to write the minus sign, I don`t know.
The change in entropy for the surroundings should be -Q/T for the actual irreversible path.
 
Then if it`s isothermal, dU is equal to zero, so the value for Q is just -w, right?
 
chemochem said:
Then if it`s isothermal, dU is equal to zero, so the value for Q is just -w, right?
Yes. Do you understand why, for the surroundings, ##\Delta S## is determined by the heat transferred in the irreversible path?
 
Yes, I used w because it had the same value and then forgot the sign, so I got the wrong result. Thank you!
 

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