Change in entropy, quasistatic, isothermal expansion

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around demonstrating the relationship ΔS=Q/T for the isothermal expansion of a monoatomic ideal gas under quasistatic conditions, where the gas remains in equilibrium throughout the process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss starting with the first law of thermodynamics and the ideal gas law to derive expressions for heat and work. Questions arise regarding the relationship between volume changes and the logarithmic expression for entropy.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on expressing heat in differential form and integrating between initial and final states. There is an acknowledgment of the initial ideas presented, but no consensus has been reached on the final steps or interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note constraints such as the requirement to avoid using dQ and dW, and there is a correction regarding the parameters used in the ideal gas law equations.

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Homework Statement


I am to show that ΔS=Q/T for the isothermal expansion of a monoatomic ideal gas, when the expansion is so slow that the gas is always in equilibrium.

Homework Equations


1. law: ΔU=Q+W (We mustn't use dQ and dW - our teacher hates that :( ).
Ideal gas law: PV=NkT
We need the equation: ΔS=Nk*ln(V_final/V_initial)
And that quasistatic expansion work is W=-PΔV

The Attempt at a Solution


-I think I am to start with: ΔU=Q+W⇔Q=ΔU-W, where ΔU=0 since its isothermal.
-I know that it is quasistatic expansion work, so W = -PΔV, so Q = -(-PΔV) = PΔV
I think I want to get something from the ideal gas law in here: P=(NkT)/V, so

Q=(NkTΔV)/V

But then I kind of get stuck there...

Hope someone can help. I thinks it is really easy, but I kind wrap my head around it.
 
Last edited:
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Looking at what you are supposed to show, take Q/T and compare that to what you have for ##\Delta S##.
So it seems like the question is: does ##\frac {\Delta V}{V} = \ln \frac{V_{final}}{V_{initial}}##?
 
Yeah - something like that?
 
What do you know about the function for V and/or ##\Delta##V if you are given an initial and final state?
Also, in the equations you provided for the ideal gas law, you change between R and k, are these different parameters?
 
I don't know anything but what I have written unfortunately. No, sorry - that's my mistake. It should have been k all along.
 
You really had the right idea in your initial post. Nice job. Now, just express the heat in differential form:
dQ=PdV=\frac{NkT}{V}dV
Then integrate between the initial and final volumes.

Chet
 
Great - thanks a lot :)
 

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