Calculating the End Temperature of Adiabatic Compression for an Ideal Gas

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the end temperature of air during adiabatic compression from atmospheric pressure to one-fifteenth of the initial volume. The initial temperature is given as 293K, and the ideal gas constant for air is approximated with a heat capacity ratio (γ) of 1.4. Attempts to calculate the final temperature yield incorrect results, prompting questions about the use of pressure in the calculations. A misinterpretation of the volume reduction factor from 0.15 to 1/15 is identified as a potential source of error. The correct approach confirms the need to accurately apply the equations for adiabatic processes in ideal gases.
Incand
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Homework Statement


Air is compressed at room temperature from atmospheric pressure to ##\frac{1}{15}## of the initial volume. Calculate the temperature at the end of compression assuming the process is reversible and adiabatic.

Homework Equations


##pV^\gamma = constant \Longleftrightarrow T \cdot V^{\gamma -1} = constant ##

The Attempt at a Solution


First its not mentioned anywhere in the question this process is for an ideal gas but since the chapter only derived them for ideal gases I'm assuming it is.
So we got
##V_2 = 0.15V_1 = \frac{3}{20}V_1##
##p_1 = 1atm##
##T_1 = 293K##
and for an ideal gas
##\gamma = 5/3##
If i insert the volume and temperature into the equation i get
##T_1V_1^{\gamma -1} = T_2(0.15V_1)^{\gamma -1} \Longleftrightarrow T_2 = T_1(\frac{20}{3})^{2/3} = 1038K##
The answer is supposed to be ##870K## and maybe i am supposed to use the pressure that was given somehow?
 
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Incand said:
and for an ideal gas
##\gamma = 5/3##
This is correct for a monatomic ideal gas.
 
DrClaude said:
This is correct for a monatomic ideal gas.
So I know that you can approximate ##\gamma## with the degrees of freedom. So since air is mostly made up of Nitrogen and oxygen and they're both come in pairs I would get ##5## degrees of freedom so i would get ##\gamma = \frac{7}{5}##.
But i end up with an answer just as wrong sadly
##T_2 = T_1(20/3)^{2/5) = 628K##
I think ##\gamma## is about correct, if i look up the heat capacity ratio for air at ##20^ \circ C## its about ##1.4##.
Am i supposed to use the pressure anywhere?
 
Incand said:
So I know that you can approximate ##\gamma## with the degrees of freedom. So since air is mostly made up of Nitrogen and oxygen and they're both come in pairs I would get ##5## degrees of freedom so i would get ##\gamma = \frac{7}{5}##.
But i end up with an answer just as wrong sadly
##T_2 = T_1(20/3)^{2/5) = 628K##
I think ##\gamma## is about correct, if i look up the heat capacity ratio for air at ##20^ \circ C## its about ##1.4##.
Am i supposed to use the pressure anywhere?
That looks right to me. Are you sure about the data of in the problem? Could there be an error in the numerical answer you were given?
 
DrClaude said:
That looks right to me. Are you sure about the data of in the problem? Could there be an error in the numerical answer you were given?
You're right. I misread ##0.15## when it should be ##1/15##. Thanks for all the help!
 
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