Enthelpy & Internal Energy Change relation with Cp & Cv

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the relationships between internal energy change (ΔU), enthalpy change (ΔH), and heat capacities (Cp and Cv) in processes without chemical reactions. Participants express confusion over why certain options (A: R and B: S) are deemed incorrect, despite the assumption that Cp and Cv are independent of temperature for any substance. It is clarified that while ΔU and ΔH equations hold true, they do not apply during phase changes where temperature remains constant, leading to undefined heat capacities. The consensus suggests that the exercise is poorly worded, as it fails to account for the nuances of phase transitions. Overall, the complexities of heat capacity definitions in relation to temperature changes are emphasized.
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Homework Statement


Match the following
Given : Processes do not include chemical reactions. Assume CP,m and CV,m are independent of temperature for given substance and consider only pressure-volume work in given all processes.
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Homework Equations



ΔU = Q - W
ΔH = ΔU + Δ(PV)
PV = nRT

The Attempt at a Solution



The answer's given as following -
A : P Q S
B : P Q R
C : P Q R S T
D : P R T

I can get all relations correct except I don't understand why A : R and B : S aren't right. Since it says "any substance" I think those options should be right even if they only work for an ideal gas.

For an isochoric process ΔV = 0, so
ΔU = Q = nCV,mΔT
ΔH = ΔU + VΔP
VΔP = nRΔT

which gives the relation as,
ΔH = n(CV,m + R)ΔT

Since CP,m - CV,m = R, I can conclude that
ΔH = nCP,mΔT

Similarly for an isobaric process ΔP = 0, so
ΔU = Q - PΔV , where Q = nCP,mΔT
PΔV = nRΔT

which gives the relation as,
ΔU = n(CP,m - R)ΔT

and just like before it becomes,
ΔU = nCV,mΔT

I also remember reading somewhere that equations in option A and B work for any process, so maybe relations A : T and B : T are correct as well but I cannot derive for them.
 

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I Think the exercise in unclear. If cp and cv are independent of T, then ΔU = nCvΔT and ΔH = nCpΔT are always correct. This comes from the very definition of them both:

##c_v = \left( \frac {\partial U} {\partial T} \right)_V##
##c_p = \left( \frac {\partial H} {\partial T} \right)_P##
 
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I agree with dRic2. This is a very poorly worded question. It seems to me, A and B are correct for all cases, except a phase change (T). C is the definition of enthalpy change, so it is always correct. D is true for a constant pressure process (R) and a phase change at constant pressure (T).
 
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Thanks for the help everyone.

dRic2 said:
I Think the exercise in unclear. If cp and cv are independent of T, then ΔU = nCvΔT and ΔH = nCpΔT are always correct. This comes from the very definition of them both:

##c_v = \left( \frac {\partial U} {\partial T} \right)_V##
##c_p = \left( \frac {\partial H} {\partial T} \right)_P##

If these molar heat capacities being independent of temperature make equations from A & B true for all processes by definition why don't they apply to state changes, i.e., option T?
 
Because, as you can see, heat capacity is defined as the variation of internal energy or enthalpy with respect to temperature change. In a phase transition ##ΔT = 0## so heat capacity has to go to infinity ##c→\infty##. This means that, since we don't have a temperature change, our definition breaks down
 
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