Calculating pressure from a known equation of energy

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating pressure using thermodynamic equations related to energy transitions. The equations presented include E2 - E1 = Integral[dQ, from state 1 to state 2] and E1 - E3 = Integral[dQ, from state 3 to state 1] + 7 P1 V1. The participant attempts to derive pressure using the relation P = - (dE/dV)_S and explores the specific heat capacity Cv = (dE/dT)_V = a g T^(a-1) V. Despite progress, the participant remains challenged in integrating these equations to derive a definitive solution.

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ForgetfulPhysicist
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Homework Statement
Heat Engine with working substance characterized by energy E = g T^a V, with a>1 and g>0 being known coefficients. The values of P1, V1 are also known. Find P2 /P1 in terms of the known quantities.
Relevant Equations
dE = TdS - PdV
Screen Shot 2023-03-18 at 7.19.06 PM.png


My attempted solution is as follows:

Obviously the heat transfer happens during transitions 1->2 and 3->1.

It's also clear that
P1 = P3
V1 = V2

E2 - E1 = Integral[T dQ , from state 1 to state 2]

E3 - E2 = - Integral[P dV , from state 2 to state 3]

E1 - E3 = Integral[T dQ , from state 3 to state 1] + 7 P1 V1

But I can't find a way to perform any of these integrals or make any progress on this problem.

An attempt to calculate pressure is stuck at: p = - (dE/dV)_S = g a T^(a-1) (dT/dV)_S V + g T^a
 
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ForgetfulPhysicist said:
E2 - E1 = Integral[T dQ , from state 1 to state 2]

E1 - E3 = Integral[T dQ , from state 3 to state 1] + 7 P1 V1
Check the units in these equations.
 
Philip Koeck said:
Check the units in these equations.
Yes that was a typo. They should be written:
E2 - E1 = Integral[dQ , from state 1 to state 2]
E1 - E3 = Integral[dQ , from state 3 to state 1] + 7 P1 V1

One idea: I can calculate Cv = (dE/dT)_V = a g T^(a-1) V , and I also know Cv = T (dS/dT)_V which helps me know a little bit about the change of entropy from state 1 to 2.... but I'm still stuck.
 
Last edited:
ForgetfulPhysicist said:
Yes that was a typo. They should be written:
E2 - E1 = Integral[dQ , from state 1 to state 2]
E1 - E3 = Integral[dQ , from state 3 to state 1] + 7 P1 V1

One idea: I can calculate Cv = (dE/dT)_V = a g T^(a-1) V , and I also know Cv = T (dS/dT)_V which helps me know a little bit about the change of entropy from state 1 to 2.... but I'm still stuck.
I also made a little progress on this by using $$\left(\frac{\partial E}{\partial V}\right)_T=-\left[P-T\left(\frac{\partial P}{\partial T}\right)_V\right]=gT^a$$which leads to $$P=\frac{gT^a}{a-1}+Tf(V)$$
 
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I derived the equation for entropy variation also, but I've as yet not been able to figure out a way that it can be used to provide an answer to this problem: $$dS=\frac{ga}{(a-1)}d(T^{a-1}V)+f(V)dV$$
 
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From dimensional considerations, it makes sense to me that the function f(V) should be proportional to R/V, where R is the gas constant. If f(V) were equal to R/v, we would have $$\frac{PV}{RT}=z=1+\frac{1}{a-1}\frac{E}{RT}$$I'm unable to prove this yet, but I may proceed as if it is the case and see where it takes me.
 

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