Energy change of reservoir in reversible weight process

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of reversible weight processes and the energy transferred to the weight in this process. The equation Ω1R-Ω2R = E1 - E2 is used to calculate the energy transfer, but in some cases, the book calculates the energy change of the reservoir as E1R - E2R ≠ 0. The speaker provides a proof that E1R = E2R and suggests that the two equations (Ω1R-Ω2R = E1 - E2 and Ω1R - Ω2R = E1 - E2) may be contradictory.
  • #1
Sebi123
14
1
In what follows I refer to the ideas of "Thermodynamic: Foundations and Applications" by Gyftoploulos and Beretta. The abbreviated form of my question is: In a reversible weight process,
Ω1R2R = E1 - E2 (see eqn. 6.18, p. 99) is transferred out of the composite of a system A and a reservoir R to the weight, where ΩR is the available energy of a system A with respect to reservoir R and E is the energy of system A.
When the above equation is true, why does the book occasionally (problem 6.4, example 6.4 on p. 94) calculates the energy change of the reservoir as E1R - E2R ≠ 0 for the case of reversible weight processes?
Because, according to the equation above, E1R = E2R must be true (see below). Also, (DE12R)revA should always be 0, p. 108/9. However, this quantity is used extensively in the discussion of entropy as if it was non-zero.
My proof of E1R = E2R:
Given two states, A1 and A2, of a system A and a reservoir R. Consider two reversible weight processes, α und β, consisting of two sub-processes, where A0R0 is the state where A and R are in mutual stable equilibrium. The only difference is the final state of the reservoir (R1 in process β instead of R2 in process α).

α: A1R1 → A0R0 → A2R2
β: A1R1 → A0R0 → A2R1

The first sub-process in each process transfers energy of the amount of available energy to the weight: Ω1R. The second sub-process in α and the second sub-process in β both transfer the available energy Ω2R to the weight, because the stable equilibrium state is unique (see proofs on adiabatic availability on p. 76 and regard the adiabatic availability of A+R as the available energy von A) and Ω2R is independent of the initial (or end state in this case) of the reservoir (statement 3 on p. 89). The energy balances for both processes are:

α: Ω1R2R = E1 - E2 + E1R - E2R
β: Ω1R2R = E1 - E2

Comparing both results, one gets that all states of the reservoir have the same energy: E1R = E2R
So: Ω1R2R = E1 - E2
The last equation corresponds to equation 6.18, p. 99.
 
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  • #2
Maybe I should rephrase the problem above. The short version is:

In a reversible weight process, in which system A goes from state A1 to A2 and reservoir R from R1 to R2, the energy transferred to the weight is
(W12AR→)rev = E1 - E2 + E1R - E2R = Ω1R - Ω2R
This is equation 6.5 in section 6.6.4.

On the other hand, in section 6.6 the authors say:
"[A] weight process for system A from A1 to A2 is [...] reversible only if"
Ω1R - Ω2R = E1 - E2
(eqn. 6.7) This would mean that the reservoir does not exchange energy, as E1R - E2R. However, in example 6.4 they get E1R - E2R = -50 kJ ≠ 0.

Why do both equations contradict?
 

1. What is the concept of "energy change of reservoir" in a reversible weight process?

The concept of "energy change of reservoir" refers to the change in the energy content of a reservoir, typically a large system with a high heat capacity, during a reversible weight process. In this process, the system is brought to equilibrium by adding or removing weights, and the energy change of the reservoir is equal to the work done on or by the system.

2. How is the energy change of reservoir calculated in a reversible weight process?

The energy change of reservoir can be calculated using the formula Q = mgh, where Q is the energy change, m is the mass of the weights, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the change in height of the weights. This formula assumes that the weights are moved slowly and reversibly, so that the system remains in thermal equilibrium throughout the process.

3. What is the difference between a reversible and irreversible weight process in terms of energy change of reservoir?

In a reversible weight process, the energy change of the reservoir is equal to the work done by the system, as the process can be reversed and the system returns to its original state. In an irreversible weight process, there is a loss of energy due to friction and other non-reversible factors, resulting in a lower energy change of reservoir compared to the work done by the system.

4. How does the temperature of the reservoir affect the energy change in a reversible weight process?

In a reversible weight process, the temperature of the reservoir remains constant, and therefore the energy change is solely determined by the work done by the system. However, in an irreversible weight process, the temperature of the reservoir may change due to energy loss, resulting in a different energy change compared to the reversible process.

5. Can the energy change of reservoir be negative in a reversible weight process?

No, the energy change of reservoir cannot be negative in a reversible weight process. This is because the energy change is determined by the work done by the system, and work cannot be negative. However, in an irreversible weight process, the energy change of reservoir can be negative due to energy loss from non-reversible factors.

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