Deriving an expression for internal energy.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion centers around deriving an expression for the change in internal energy of a simple system between two states defined by volume and temperature. The original poster presents an equation involving specific heat capacity and pressure-volume work, indicating a struggle with manipulating the terms correctly.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between internal energy, temperature, and volume, with attempts to express the differential of internal energy in terms of fundamental thermodynamic variables. Questions arise regarding the applicability of certain equations to reversible versus non-reversible processes.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the relationship between internal energy and entropy, while others question the conditions under which certain equations apply. The discussion reflects a mix of interpretations and approaches without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing examination of the assumptions related to reversible processes and the implications for internal energy as a state function. The original poster's manipulation of terms is noted as a point of difficulty.

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Homework Statement


Show that the change in internal energy of a simple system between states (V1, T1)
and (V2, T2) is given by

[tex]∆U = \int^{T1}_{T2} C_v\ dT + \int^{V1}_{V2} T.\frac{\partial p}{\partial T}|_V - p \ dV[/tex]

Homework Equations


dU=dQ-pdV

The Attempt at a Solution


As U is a function of state i wrote down [tex]dU =\frac{\partial U}{\partial T}|_V dT + \frac{\partial U}{\partial V}|_T dV[/tex]

[tex]\frac{\partial U}{\partial T}|_V[/tex] is clearly just Cv but i can't get the other part into the correct form, my manipulation is just going around in circles.
 
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Keep in mind that, in terms of its fundamental variables, a differential in internal energy is also given by:

[tex] dU = T dS - P dV[/tex]

You can then write:

[tex] <br /> \left( {\frac{{\partial U}}{{\partial V}}} \right)_T = T\left( {\frac{{\partial S}}{{\partial V}}} \right)_T - P<br /> [/tex]

Can you figure out what to do from there?
 
danago said:
Keep in mind that, in terms of its fundamental variables, a differential in internal energy is also given by:

[tex] dU = T dS - P dV[/tex]

Doesn't this only hold for a reversible process?
 
The equation is derived for a reversible process, however internal energy is a state function so it can be applied to non-reversible processes.
 
Ah of course! Thanks very much for your help.
 

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