Change of Entropy Calculation - How to do this without Final Pressure Volume?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the change in entropy for a mass of air in a rigid container, initially at a specified pressure and temperature, and heated to a higher temperature. The problem involves understanding the implications of constant volume and the relationships between pressure, volume, and temperature for an ideal gas.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the implications of the rigid container on the volume and the relationship between temperature and entropy. Questions arise regarding the necessity of initial pressure and mass in the calculations, as well as the use of absolute temperature versus degrees Celsius.

Discussion Status

Some participants have confirmed the understanding of constant volume conditions, while others express concerns about the relevance of certain provided values in their calculations. There is acknowledgment of the use of mass in the context of entropy as an extensive property, and the discussion reflects a mix of interpretations regarding the necessity of pressure in the calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of working without final pressure or volume, raising questions about the assumptions made in the problem setup. The discussion also highlights the potential confusion stemming from the use of different temperature scales.

spggodd
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Homework Statement



I am having trouble working out the change in Entropy. The question is as follows:

A mass of 1 kg of air is initially at 4.8 bar and 150 degC and it is enclosed in a rigid container. The air is heated until the temperature is 200 degC.
Calculate the change in entropy and also estimate the heat transferred by using a finite difference approximation for the equation: Q = ∫Tds.

For air, R = 0.287 kJ/kgK and Cv = 0.718 kJ/kgK

Summary:

m = 1 kg
p1 = 4.8 Bar
T1 = 150 DegC
T2 = 200 DegC

Answers: [0.08 kj/K , ~ 35.9 kJ]

Homework Equations



s2-s1 = Cv*Ln(T2/T1) + R*Ln(v2/v1)
s2-s1 = Cp*Ln(T2/T1) - R*Ln(p2/p1)

(p1*v1)/t1 = (p2*v2)/t2

The Attempt at a Solution



I calculated initial volume by using: PV=MRT and rearranging.

V1 = 89.6875x10^-6

Next I'm not sure as you don't have an final pressure to work out final velocity.
Without either I can't see how I can use the s2-s1 equations.

I am thinking this may have something to do with the "it is enclosed in a rigid container". Does this mean constant volume or something?

Thanks in advance.

Steve
 
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spggodd said:
I am thinking this may have something to do with the "it is enclosed in a rigid container". Does this mean constant volume or something?

Thanks in advance.

Steve

Yes. It means exactly that.
 
Thanks for confirming that, I realized I was tripping up with the temperature. I was using degrees C rather than absolute.
 
How come it gives values for mass an initial pressure if you don't actually end up using them?

For the next part I did:

((T1*ds) + (T2*ds))/2

This gave the correct answer but I'm concerned I'm not doing it correctly as I never used the mass or pressure values
 
spggodd said:
How come it gives values for mass an initial pressure if you don't actually end up using them?

For the next part I did:

((T1*ds) + (T2*ds))/2

This gave the correct answer but I'm concerned I'm not doing it correctly as I never used the mass or pressure values

You actually did use the mass, but apparently you don't even know you used it. If the mass were 2 kg, would your answer have been the same? Entropy is a so-called extensive property, which means it is proportional to the amount of mass.

As far as the pressure is concerned, in real life you often have information that isn't needed. You didn't need the pressure because you were able to assume an ideal gas, but, if the gas were not ideal, the internal energy would be a function not only of temperature but also of the pressure. In a way, you used the 4.8 bars to ascertain that it was valid to treat the air as an ideal gas.
 
Ok thank you for help, I appreciate it!
 
Ok thank you for help, I appreciate it!
 

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