Calculating Work, Volume, and Energy Change for Isothermal Compression

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of work, volume, and energy change for an isothermal compression of a helium gas sample. The original poster presents a problem involving a 2.00-mol sample of helium gas, initially at 300K and 0.400 atm, compressed isothermally to 1.20 atm, and seeks to find the final volume, work done, and energy change.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore unit conversions, particularly for the gas constant R and pressure units. There are attempts to recalculate the final volume after adjusting units, with some participants questioning the correctness of these conversions.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of unit consistency and its impact on calculations. Some participants have provided guidance on unit conversions, while others are clarifying the use of moles versus kilomoles. The discussion reflects a mix of attempts to correct errors and verify calculations without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of consistent units throughout the calculations, particularly when converting pressure from atm to Pa. There is also mention of a reference using different values for the gas constant R, which adds to the complexity of the problem.

Paymemoney
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Homework Statement


A 2.00-mol sample of helium gas initially at 300K and 0.400 atm is compressed isothermally to 1.20atm. Assume the helium behaves as an ideal gas, find (a) the final volume of the gas, (b) the work done on the gas, and (c) the energy temperature?

Homework Equations


PV = nRT

[tex]W = nRTln(\frac{Pi}{Pf})[/tex]

[tex]\delta{U} = Q - W[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


This is what i have done can anyone tell me what is wrong, because it is not the same as the book's answer.
a)
[tex]Vf = \frac{2 * 8.314*10^3 * 300}{1.20}[/tex]

[tex]Vf = 4157000m^3[/tex]b)
[tex]W = 2 * 8.314 * 10^3 * 300 * ln(\frac{1.20}{0.400})[/tex]
W = 5480317.541

c)
[tex]\delta{U} = -5480317.541[/tex] meaning this is compression

The correct answers for the following are:

a) 0.0410 [tex]m^3[/tex]
b) 5.48 kJ
c) -5.48 kJ

P.S
 
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It's the classic error: not checking your units.
 
could you tell me specifically which values have the wrong units?
 
Check your units for "R"
 
how do you convert mol into kmol??
 
ok would 2mol be 0.200 kmol because 1 mol is 1000mols?
 
yes because 1000 moles= 1 kmol
 
after i changed the units i still didn't get the correct answer:

This is what i changed:

[tex]Vf = \frac{.200 * 8.314*10^3 * 300}{1.20}[/tex]
[tex]Vf = 415700m^3[/tex]
 
Paymemoney said:
after i changed the units i still didn't get the correct answer:

This is what i changed:

[tex]Vf = \frac{.200 * 8.314*10^3 * 300}{1.20}[/tex]
[tex]Vf = 415700m^3[/tex]
This is an enormous volume and obviously wrong!

What are your units for pressure?

What is the initial volume? Since T is unchanged, what is the final volume if the pressure is 3 x greater?

AM
 
  • #10
It's .002 Kmole, change 1.2 atm to units of pressure in N/m^2 and 1 J = 1 N*m
 
  • #11
I am not sure why you are using Kmol. It is much easier to use moles and R = 8.314 (J/mol - K) and pressure as J/m^3 or N/m^2

AM
 
  • #12
My reference uses R= 8.314 kJ/kmole-K same as 8.314 J/mole-K pick your poison but keep the units consistent
 
  • #13
Paymemoney said:
[tex]Vf = \frac{.200 * 8.314*10^3 * 300}{1.20 * 1.013*10^5}[/tex]
[tex]Vf = 0.0410m^3[/tex]

i changed the units of atm to Pa and i got the correct answer.
 
  • #14
Paymemoney said:
i changed the units of atm to Pa and i got the correct answer.
I trust that you used .002Kmol not .2Kmol. as you have shown.

AM
 
  • #15
oh yeh oops typo.
 

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