Change in the energy content of an isobaric process

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the energy content change during an isobaric process, specifically analyzing work done, heat added, and the change in internal energy (ΔU). In an isobaric expansion, the work done on the system is negative, while the heat added is positive to maintain constant pressure. The change in internal energy (ΔU) is determined by the equation ΔU = Q + W, indicating that it is a state variable dependent on initial and final states, not the process path.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of isobaric processes in thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with the first law of thermodynamics
  • Knowledge of state variables and their significance
  • Ability to interpret PV diagrams
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the first law of thermodynamics in detail
  • Learn about the characteristics of isothermal and adiabatic processes
  • Explore the implications of state variables in thermodynamic systems
  • Investigate the relationship between temperature change (dT) and internal energy (U)
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in thermodynamics, physics educators, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of energy changes in thermodynamic processes.

diaaa2
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Homework Statement
A PV diagram shows an isobaric expansion, I'm asked to know the signs of: work done on, heat added to, and change in energy content of the system.
Relevant Equations
W= integral (P dV), dU = Q + W
Homework Statement: A PV diagram shows an isobaric expansion, I'm asked to know the signs of: work done on, heat added to, and change in energy content of the system.
Homework Equations: W= integral (P dV), dU = Q + W

Since this is an expansion, the system does work on the surrounding and therefore the work done on the system is -ve.
Also, to preserve a constant pressure, heat has to be added, therefore heat added is +ve.

The energy content(dU) is the sum of those too, and since the process is isobaric not adiabatic, dU has a value.
How can I know whether it is negative or positive?
 
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What expression do you know for dU that involves the temperature change dT?
 
diaaa2 said:
The energy content(dU) is the sum of those too, and since the process is isobaric not adiabatic, dU has a value.
You should really write either ##dU = dQ + dW##, if you're dealing with infinitesimal quantities, or ##\Delta U = Q + W##, if not. I'll assume you really meant ##\Delta U##, not ##dU##.

##\Delta U## is always going to have some value which depends only on where you start and where you end up, not the process, since ##U## is state variable.

Did you mean ##\Delta U## won't be 0? That claim would be true for both isobaric and adiabatic processes, so your logic doesn't make sense.
 

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