Change in enthelpy at constant VOLUME

AI Thread Summary
Enthalpy is often used in isobaric processes, but its application in isochoric processes can lead to confusion regarding energy conservation. In an isochoric process, the change in enthalpy is greater than the heat supplied because it includes the work done by the system as pressure increases, represented by the term ΔPV. However, the actual energy change in a constant volume process is solely represented by the change in internal energy, ΔU, which equals the heat added. The apparent discrepancy arises from the mathematical relationship between enthalpy and internal energy, where the VdP term is effectively counted twice in the enthalpy equation. Understanding this distinction clarifies that energy is conserved, and the system does not gain energy beyond what is supplied as heat.
Tabeia
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Hi, I know enthalpy is used a lot to calculate isobaric processes, but what about isochoric ones?
For example, if I have gas in a piston and I add heat at constant VOLUME.
I know that Q=\Delta U
But since H=U+PV or \Delta H=\Delta U + \Delta PV
I see that although V is constant P is not, it increases and so my entropy increase is bigger than my internal energy increase.
That is ok, I've searched this forum and found the same results, but my question is. Since enthalpy is energy, and energy is conserved from where does this energy come from?
Since the heat supplied to the system is smaller than the change in enthalpy.
Let's say I give 1000 Joules to the system in form of heat, the internal energy increases by 1000J, but the Enthalpy increases more...
Any help appreciated.
 
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Tabeia said:
I see that although V is constant P is not, it increases and so my entropy increase is bigger than my internal energy increase.

by how much? do you have any idea?
 
Since enthalpy is energy, and energy is conserved from where does this energy come from?
Enthalpy is not the energy, U is the energy. Enthalpy only has the dimensions of energy. Enthalpy is a mathematical potential useful in processes that take place at constant pressure. The change in enthalpy during an isobaric process is equal to the heat that is transferred. In the fields of engineering and chemistry enthalpy is more useful than internal energy, since most processes occur isobarically.
 
Bill_K said:
Enthalpy is not the energy, U is the energy. Enthalpy only has the dimensions of energy. Enthalpy is a mathematical potential useful in processes that take place at constant pressure. The change in enthalpy during an isobaric process is equal to the heat that is transferred. In the fields of engineering and chemistry enthalpy is more useful than internal energy, since most processes occur isobarically.
Yes. Exactly. I was in the middle of responding but this is a much more succinct and clearer answer than I was about to give.

AM
 
@Bill K, but the question is under isochoric process.
 
It feels weird that in an ISOCHORIC process the enthalpy(the potential to do work? Can I say that way?) increases more than the heat supplied...so I get more work(energy) than I gave in(in the form of heat)
Yes, I know that I'm wrong but I was having trouble seeing this.
But thanks for the clarification.

What I'm thinking is that this isn't a perpetual energy machine(duh) because to keep the constant volume I need to have something holding the piston, exerting some force on it to keep it from expanding. And also because I would need to compress it again and in the end the delta H would be zero.
Going to try some calculations later.
 
121910marj said:
@Bill K, but the question is under isochoric process.
In an isochoric process, the change in enthalpy differs from the change in internal energy by the amount \Delta PV. But it is just a mathematical book-keeping thing. The only actual heat flow/energy change is \Delta Q = \Delta U in a constant volume process. In fact, the VdP term is already incorporated into \Delta U so, in effect, it is being counted twice in the expression for \Delta H in a constant volume process.

AM
 
Andrew Mason said:
In fact, the VdP term is already incorporated into \Delta U so, in effect, it is being counted twice in the expression for \Delta H in a constant volume process.
AM

Aha, now everything is clear in my mind.
 
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