Calculating the End Temperature of Adiabatic Compression for an Ideal Gas

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the end temperature of air during adiabatic compression, with the initial conditions specified as atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The problem is situated within the context of thermodynamics, specifically focusing on ideal gases and the principles governing adiabatic processes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between temperature, volume, and the heat capacity ratio (γ) for an ideal gas. There are attempts to apply the relevant equations, with some questioning the assumptions regarding γ based on the composition of air. Others raise concerns about the accuracy of the numerical values given in the problem statement.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the assumptions made about γ and the implications of using different values. Some guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of the problem, and there is acknowledgment of potential misreading of the problem's parameters.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem does not explicitly state that the gas is ideal, and there is a discussion about the relevance of pressure in the calculations. There is also mention of the potential for errors in the numerical answer provided in the problem.

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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