Don't have point B (cycle process)

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a thermodynamic cycle performed by one mole of helium gas in a cylinder with a movable piston. The task is to compute the internal energy change, heat transferred, and work performed for each segment of the cycle, assuming helium behaves as an ideal gas.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationships between pressure and volume at various points in the cycle, particularly focusing on point B, which is unknown. They explore the implications of isothermal and adiabatic processes connecting points A, B, and C.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided tips on how to find the unknown values for point B using the relationships from the isothermal and adiabatic processes. There is ongoing exploration of algebraic manipulations to relate the pressures and volumes, but no consensus has been reached on the final values or methods to find the work done.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of understanding the value of gamma for helium and how it affects the calculations. There are also mentions of potential errors in volume units and the need to clarify assumptions about the gas behavior.

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Homework Statement


One mole of helium is enclosed in a cylinder with a movable piston. By placing the cylinder in contact with various reservoirs and also insulating it at proper times, the helium performs a cycle. Compute the internal energy change, heat transferred, and work perfomed for each segment of the cyle and the total amount of each of these quantities for the entire cyle. Assume helium to be an ideal gas.

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4843/graphnc4.th.jpg


Homework Equations


[tex]\Delta U= Q + W[/tex]

PV= nRT
[tex]Q= nC_p \Delta T[/tex]

[tex]Q= nC_v \Delta T[/tex]

[tex]\gamma= C_p / C_v = 1.67[/tex]

[tex]C_v= 3/2R[/tex]

[tex]C_p= 5/2R[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



B is unknown but not sure how to find it...

I do have Parts:

A=> P= 8.00x10^4Pa, V= 2.00m^3

B=> P= ? V=?

C=> P= 3.00x10^4 Pa, V= 5.00m^3

D=> P= 3.00x10^4 Pa, V= 2.00m^3

For DA which is isovolumetric
w= 0

[tex]\Delta U= Q[/tex] for U

[tex]\Delta Q= nCv (T_D-T_A)[/tex] for finding heat (Q)

[tex]\Delta E_{int}= C_v \Delta T[/tex] => however I'm not given T so what do I do?

do I use PV= nRT and then solve for T since I have P and V ? so
[tex]\Delta P V /nR = \Delta T[/tex]

For CD which is Isobaric
P= constant
[tex]W= -P(V_F-V_i)[/tex] for the internal E

[tex]\E_{int}= Q + W[/tex] for the work

[tex]PV= nRT[/tex]

[tex]Q= nCP \Delta T[/tex]

[tex]\E _{int}= ?[/tex] not sure about this

For the part AB It is isothermic

T= constant
[tex]T_A= T_B[/tex]

[tex]\Delta U= nR\Delta T= 0[/tex] internal Energy which is = 0

so based on above [tex]Q= -W[/tex] to find the heat

[tex]P_A= 8.00x10^4 Pa[/tex]
[tex]P_A= 2.00 m^3[/tex]

[tex]W= nRT ( /frac{V_A} {V_B})[/tex] => don't have V for the final VB

For part BC

It's adiabatic so Q= 0 thus
[tex]\Delta U= W[/tex]

point B is not known (P or V) initial point

C=> P= 3.00x10^4 Pa, V= 5.00m^3

[tex]P_iV_i^{\gamma} = P_iV_f^{\gamma}[/tex]

not sure how to find the [tex]\Delta U[/tex] and that would also = W but if I don't find those then how can I find the W?

Point B

I don't have the P or V for point B so I'm not exactly sure how to find the info I need.

I think that for the [tex]\Delta U= 0[/tex]

[tex]P_iV_i^{\gamma} = P_fV_f^{\gamma}[/tex]

so I think I can find the V and P. But don't you have to be given [tex]\gamma[/tex] ? or is it a constant?

Well after finding the Pf I was thinking of using the fact that the AB is isothermic and plugging into this..

[tex]Q= W= P_AV_A ln (V_B/V_A)[/tex]

Is this it..I think so but I think I'm missing some things here and there on actually solving this with numbers.

Could someone check it for me?

Thank you.
 
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~christina~ said:
Point B

I don't have the P or V for point B so I'm not exactly sure how to find the info I need.
Here's a tip about finding point B. Point A and B are connected via an isothermal. Similarly, point C and B are connected via an adiabatic expansion. That should allow you to find P and V for point B.
 
Doc Al said:
Here's a tip about finding point B. Point A and B are connected via an isothermal. Similarly, point C and B are connected via an adiabatic expansion. That should allow you to find P and V for point B.

I don't know but I tried to find the volume for b by the equation that I used above but I'm not sure what gamma is and I still don't know how to find the pressure for b.
 
Treat the helium as an ideal monoatomic gas--that should tell you what gamma is.

Relating point A to point B (isothermal):
[tex]P_a V_a = P_b V_b[/tex]

Relating point C to point B (adiabatic):
[tex]P_c V_c^{\gamma} = P_b V_b^{\gamma}[/tex]

Two equations; two unknowns. :wink:
 
Doc Al said:
Treat the helium as an ideal monoatomic gas--that should tell you what gamma is.

okay so [tex]\gamma= 1.67[/tex]

Relating point A to point B (isothermal):
[tex]P_a V_a = P_b V_b[/tex]

so I have the [tex]P_a= 8.00x10^4Pa[/tex] and [tex]V_a= 2.00m^3[/tex]
so [tex]P_aV_a= P_bV_b= 1.6x10^5Pa*m^3[/tex]

Relating point C to point B (adiabatic):
[tex]P_c V_c^{\gamma} = P_b V_b^{\gamma}[/tex]

well for this [tex]P_cV_c^{\gamma} = (3.00x10^4 Pa)(5.00m^3)^{1.67}= 4.40x10^5 Pa*m^3= P_b V_b^{\gamma}[/tex]

Two equations; two unknowns. :wink:

um..:confused: what do I do now? I don't think I can substitute one into the other and or etc. Am I missing something else, Doc?
 
~christina~ said:
I don't think I can substitute one into the other and or etc.
Why not? Use one equation to write [itex]P_b[/itex] in terms of [itex]V_b[/itex], then plug that into the second.
 
Doc Al said:
Why not? Use one equation to write [itex]P_b[/itex] in terms of [itex]V_b[/itex], then plug that into the second.

okay, but I guess my algebra's then

this is what I did.

PaVa=PbVb then

[tex]P_b =1.6x10^5Pa*m^3 /V_b[/tex] then I plug that into the other equation...

[tex]P_c V_c^{\gamma} = P_b V_b^{\gamma}[/tex]

[tex]4.40x10^5 Pa*m^3= \frac{1.6x10^5Pa*m^3} {V_b} V_b^{\gamma}[/tex]

and that would cancel the Vb? (I don't think so)
 
Recall this property of exponents:

[tex]\frac{X^a}{X^b} = X^{a-b}[/tex]
 
unless you mean that

it would be..
[tex]4.40x10^5 Pa*m^3= \frac{1.6x10^5Pa*m^3} {V_b} V_b^{\gamma}[/tex]

and so based on the rule that I forgot...

[tex]4.40x10^5 Pa*m^3= (1.6x10^5Pa*m^3) (V_b)^{\gamma-0}[/tex]

is this correct?
 
  • #10
~christina~ said:
is this correct?
No.

[tex]\frac{X^a}{X} = \frac{X^a}{X^1} = X^{a-1}[/tex]
 
  • #11
Doc Al said:
No.

[tex]\frac{X^a}{X} = \frac{X^a}{X^1} = X^{a-1}[/tex]

so it would be this...

[tex]4.40x10^5 Pa*m^3= (1.6x10^5Pa*m^3) (V_b)^{\gamma-1}[/tex]
 
  • #12
~christina~ said:
so it would be this...

[tex]4.40x10^5 Pa*m^3= (1.6x10^5Pa*m^3) (V_b)^{\gamma-1}[/tex]
Now you're cooking. :smile: (Although I didn't check your numbers.)

Now you should be able to solve for [itex]V_b[/itex] (using a calculator, of course!).
 
  • #13
Doc Al said:
Now you're cooking. :smile: (Although I didn't check your numbers.)

Now you should be able to solve for [itex]V_b[/itex] (using a calculator, of course!).
Okay so if that's like that then.

[tex]4.40x10^5 Pa*m^3= (1.6x10^5Pa*m^3) (V_b)^{\gamma-1}[/tex]

[tex]2.75= Vb^{.67}[/tex]
so
Vb= 4.52 m^3

and then since I have Vb

PaVa=PbVb

[tex]1.6x10^5 Pa m^3= Pb(4.52m^3)[/tex]

[tex]Pb= 1.017x10^5Pa[/tex]

um that looks funny though since the graph has Pa is 10^4...
 
  • #14
Yeah, something's not right. Check your values for volume: Realize that the values on the diagram need to be muliplied by [itex]10^{-3}[/itex].
 
  • #15
so [tex]P_aV_a= P_bV_b= 1.6x10^2Pam^3[/tex]

so then [tex]Pb= 1.6x10^2 Pam^3/Vb[/tex]

[tex]P_cV_c^{\gamma} = (3.00x10^4 Pa)(5.00x10^-3)^{1.67}= 4.30 Pa*m^3= P_b V_b^{\gamma}[/tex]

[tex]4.30 Pa*m^3= (1.6x10^2Pa m^3) (V_b)^{\gamma-1}[/tex]

[tex]2.68x10^-2= V_b^{.67}[/tex]

[tex]V_b= 4.52x10^-3 m^3[/tex]

[tex]P_aV_a= P_bV_b[/tex]

[tex]\frac{1.6x10^2Pam^3} {4.52x10^-3m^3} = P_b[/tex]

[tex]P_b= 3.54x10^4 Pa[/tex]

I think I got it.

Now to find the work what do I do? since I know that the point b) is both an isotherm and a adiabat.
 
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  • #16
you didn't say whether this was right or not but assuming it is.

For DA which is isovolumetric
w= 0

[tex]\Delta U= Q[/tex] for U

[tex]\Delta Q= nCv (T_D-T_A)[/tex] for finding heat (Q)

[tex]\Delta U= C_v \Delta T[/tex] => however I'm not given T so what do I do?

[tex]\Delta P V /nR = \Delta T[/tex]

[tex]\Delta T= \frac{(8.00x10^4-3.00x10^4)(2x10^-3)} {(1mol)(8.314472 m3·Pa·K·mol)} = 6.013x10^3 K[/tex]

and I think I take that and plug this below to find the [tex]E_{int}[/tex]
and since Cv= 12.5 for He
[tex]\Delta U= nC_v \Delta T = 1mol(12.5)(6.013x10^3 K)= 7.516x10^4 J[/tex]

and [tex]\Delta U= Q= 7.516x10^4 J[/tex] right?

and W= 0
 
  • #17
For CD which is Isobaric
P= constant
[tex]W= -P(V_F-V_i)[/tex] for the internal E

[tex]W= -(3.00x10^4Pa)(5.00x10^{-3}- 2.00x10^{-3})= -9x10^8 J[/tex]

[tex]Q= nCP \Delta T[/tex]
[tex]Q= (1mol)(20.8J/mol*K)= 20.8 J[/tex]

[tex]\Delta U= Q + W[/tex] for the work
so it would be

[tex]\Delta U= 20.8J + -9x10^8J= -8.99x10^8 J[/tex]
 
  • #18
Last part.

For part BC

It's adiabatic so Q= 0 thus
[tex]\Delta U= W[/tex]

[tex]Point C=> P_f= 3.00x10^4 Pa, V_f= 5.00m^3[/tex]

[tex]P_iV_i^{\gamma} = P_iV_f^{\gamma}[/tex]

I found the Vi and Pi though before (assuming their correct)

not sure how I find the work though...and it's equal to the U

so I need help on that. I think you have to take take the integral of the area under the curve but not sure how that would be set up unfortunately.


Thanks Doc Al :smile:
 
  • #19
~christina~ said:
so [tex]P_aV_a= P_bV_b= 1.6x10^2Pam^3[/tex]

so then [tex]Pb= 1.6x10^2 Pam^3/Vb[/tex]

[tex]P_cV_c^{\gamma} = (3.00x10^4 Pa)(5.00x10^-3)^{1.67}= 4.30 Pa*m^3= P_b V_b^{\gamma}[/tex]

[tex]4.30 Pa*m^3= (1.6x10^2Pa m^3) (V_b)^{\gamma-1}[/tex]

[tex]2.68x10^-2= V_b^{.67}[/tex]

[tex]V_b= 4.52x10^-3 m^3[/tex]

[tex]P_aV_a= P_bV_b[/tex]

[tex]\frac{1.6x10^2Pam^3} {4.52x10^-3m^3} = P_b[/tex]

[tex]P_b= 3.54x10^4 Pa[/tex]

I think I got it.

Now to find the work what do I do? since I know that the point b) is both an isotherm and a adiabat.
Looks good! Be careful with terminology: On a P-V diagram only lines can be isotherms or adiabats, not points.
 
  • #20
~christina~ said:
you didn't say whether this was right or not but assuming it is.

For DA which is isovolumetric
w= 0

[tex]\Delta U= Q[/tex] for U

[tex]\Delta Q= nCv (T_D-T_A)[/tex] for finding heat (Q)

[tex]\Delta U= C_v \Delta T[/tex] => however I'm not given T so what do I do?

[tex]\Delta P V /nR = \Delta T[/tex]

[tex]\Delta T= \frac{(8.00x10^4-3.00x10^4)(2x10^-3)} {(1mol)(8.314472 m3·Pa·K·mol)} = 6.013x10^3 K[/tex]

and I think I take that and plug this below to find the [tex]E_{int}[/tex]
and since Cv= 12.5 for He
[tex]\Delta U= nC_v \Delta T = 1mol(12.5)(6.013x10^3 K)= 7.516x10^4 J[/tex]

and [tex]\Delta U= Q= 7.516x10^4 J[/tex] right?

and W= 0
Your methodology is correct, but redo your calculation of delta T and what follows. (You forgot to multiply by the volume.)
 
  • #21
~christina~ said:
For CD which is Isobaric
P= constant
[tex]W= -P(V_F-V_i)[/tex] for the internal E
This is work, not internal energy (of course).

[tex]W= -(3.00x10^4Pa)(5.00x10^{-3}- 2.00x10^{-3})= -9x10^8 J[/tex]
Redo this calculation. Also, since the gas is being compressed, the work done on it will be positive.

[tex]Q= nCP \Delta T[/tex]
[tex]Q= (1mol)(20.8J/mol*K)= 20.8 J[/tex]
Redo this. What's delta T?

[tex]\Delta U= Q + W[/tex] for the work
so it would be

[tex]\Delta U= 20.8J + -9x10^8J= -8.99x10^8 J[/tex]
You'll have to redo this, given the above.
 
  • #22
~christina~ said:
Last part.

For part BC

It's adiabatic so Q= 0 thus
[tex]\Delta U= W[/tex]

[tex]Point C=> P_f= 3.00x10^4 Pa, V_f= 5.00m^3[/tex]

[tex]P_iV_i^{\gamma} = P_iV_f^{\gamma}[/tex]

I found the Vi and Pi though before (assuming their correct)

not sure how I find the work though...and it's equal to the U

so I need help on that. I think you have to take take the integral of the area under the curve but not sure how that would be set up unfortunately.
Yes, you'll have to integrate:
[tex]W = -\int p dV[/tex]

Hint: Write p as a function of V, taking advantage of [itex]pV^{\gamma} = C[/itex] (where C is a constant).
 
  • #23
Doc Al said:
Looks good! Be careful with terminology: On a P-V diagram only lines can be isotherms or adiabats, not points.

oh okay.
Doc Al said:
Your methodology is correct, but redo your calculation of delta T and what follows. (You forgot to multiply by the volume.)

[tex]\Delta T= \frac{(8.00x10^4-3.00x10^4)(2x10^-3)} {(1mol)(8.314472 m3·Pa·K·mol)} = 12.027 K[/tex]

[tex]\Delta U= nC_v \Delta T = 1mol(12.5)(12.027K)= J[/tex]

[tex]\Delta U= Q= 150.3375 J[/tex]

Doc Al said:
This is work, not internal energy (of course).
um yes :rolleyes:
Redo this calculation. Also, since the gas is being compressed, the work done on it will be positive.
Oh yeah, I forgot about that.

[tex]W= -(3.00x10^4Pa)(2.00x10^{-3}-5.00x10^{-3} )= 90 J[/tex]


Redo this. What's delta T?
[tex]W=nR \Delta T[/tex]

[tex]90J= 1mol (8.314472 m3·Pa·K·1·mol-1 )\Delta T[/tex]

[tex]\frac{90J} {1mol (8.314472 m3·Pa·K·1·mol-1)}= 10.82K[/tex]

[tex]Q= nCP \Delta T[/tex]

[tex]Q= (1mol)(20.8J/mol*K)(10.82K)= 225.056 J[/tex]

you'll have to redo this, given the above.
[tex]\Delta U= Q + W[/tex]

[tex]\Delta U= 225.056J + 90J= 315.056 J[/tex]

Doc Al said:
Yes, you'll have to integrate:
[tex]W = -\int p dV[/tex]

Hint: Write p as a function of V, taking advantage of [itex]pV^{\gamma} = C[/itex] (where C is a constant).

hm..my teacher gave us a hint on this part and he said to use PV=nRT though. I would say that relates to [itex]pV^{\gamma} = C[/itex] but it doesn't include the gamma on the V so is it related?

I have issues with integration.

Thank you very much Doc Al :smile:
 
  • #24
Your numbers look much better.
~christina~ said:
hm..my teacher gave us a hint on this part and he said to use PV=nRT though. I would say that relates to [itex]pV^{\gamma} = C[/itex] but it doesn't include the gamma on the V so is it related?
As far as finding the work done in an adiabatic process, I don't quite see the point of your teacher's hint. PV=nRT applies to all ideal gas processes, not just adiabatic ones.
I have issues with integration.
Give my previous suggestion a shot and try to set it up properly. Then we'll worry about doing the integration. (It will turn out to be an easy integral. :wink:)
 
  • #25
Doc Al said:
Your numbers look much better.

As far as finding the work done in an adiabatic process, I don't quite see the point of your teacher's hint. PV=nRT applies to all ideal gas processes, not just adiabatic ones.

Give my previous suggestion a shot and try to set it up properly. Then we'll worry about doing the integration. (It will turn out to be an easy integral. :wink:)

okay. (sorry about the late post-few tests this week)

[tex]W= -\int p dV= C \int \frac{dV} {V^{\gamma}}[/tex]

and I think that's weird looking. Is it? (Okay I found this online but I'm not sure how they did the integration to get=> [tex]W= \frac{C(V_f^{1-\gamma}- V_i^{1-\gamma})} {1-\gamma}[/tex]

Thank you Doc Al
 
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  • #26
Well, what's the integral of [itex]x^n[/itex]? Of [itex]x^{-n}[/itex]?
 
  • #27
Doc Al said:
Well, what's the integral of [itex]x^n[/itex]? Of [itex]x^{-n}[/itex]?

[tex]\int x^n= \frac {x^{n+1}} {n+1}[/tex] n not = -1

[tex]\int x^{-n}= \frac {x^{-n+1}} {-n+1}[/tex] as long as x not = 1 but I think this one is wrong though.

Thanks Doc :smile:
 
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  • #28
All perfectly correct! If you think the second one is wrong, check it by taking the derivative of the answer. :wink:

Once you are convinced that both are correct, compare the second one with the integral you need for this problem.
 
  • #29
Doc Al said:
All perfectly correct! If you think the second one is wrong, check it by taking the derivative of the answer. :wink:

okay I did and the other with the negative is fine.

Once you are convinced that both are correct, compare the second one with the integral you need for this problem.

[tex]W= -\int p dV= C \int \frac{dV} {V^{\gamma}}[/tex]
I was wondering if there was supposed to be a (-) in the second part above. (the example I saw on the net didn't but why is that?)

[tex]\int x^{-n}= \frac {x^{-n+1}} {-n+1}[/tex]

[tex]\int x^{-n}= \frac {x^{1-n}} {1-n}[/tex] [itex]rearranged[/itex]

[tex]W= \frac{C(V_f^{1-\gamma}- V_i^{1-\gamma})} {1-\gamma}[/tex]
well the last thing is that I wasn't getting how they had Vf and Vi but I figured it out that it's because of the initial and final Volumes BUT if the pressure is not constant then why don't we include Pi and Pf??

Thanks Doc
 
Last edited:
  • #30
Since [itex]PV^\gamma = C[/itex], P and V are not independent variables. We chose to evaluate [itex]\int Pdv[/itex] using the variable V. But we could easily have changed variables and wrote it in term of P, in which case we would have used Pi & Pf.
 

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