Entropy Change in a Two-Step Heating Process for Water in a Heat Bath

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the total entropy change of a heat bath and water during a two-step heating process. The initial calculations yielded an entropy change of 66.6 J/K, which was higher than the expected 35.6 J/K. The error arose from misunderstanding the heat bath conditions, as two separate heat baths were involved, one at 50°C and another at 80°C, rather than assuming a single heat bath at 80°C throughout. The correct approach requires adjusting the bath entropy calculations to account for the different temperatures during each heating step. Clarification on the heat bath conditions resolved the confusion regarding the entropy change calculations.
quietrain
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Homework Statement


Find entropy change of total system of heatbath + water when water is placed in heat bath from 20 C to 50 C, then 50C to 80C. assume equilibrium is reached first in both cases.
water = 1000g , C = 4.2J/C/G

The Attempt at a Solution



the entropy for water Sw = CdT / T + Cdt / T , where first integral from 293K to 323K, second from 323K to 353K.

bath entropy Sb = -C(353 - 293) / 353

Sw=780.4
Sb=-713.8

S-total = 66.6 J/K

but ans is 35.6J/K .

apparently, the 2 step process of heating should get me a smaller entropy change, but the value i calculated 66.6 is around the same as if i did a 1 step heating from 20 to 80 straight.

so where did i go wrong? thanks!
 
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\int_{293}^{323} \frac{C}{T}\,dT=C\cdot\ln\left(\frac{323}{293}\right)
 
SammyS said:
\int_{293}^{323} \frac{C}{T}\,dT=C\cdot\ln\left(\frac{323}{293}\right)

yea using that, i got the answer to a 1 time heat bath heating from 293 to 353 straight

but if i use that expression twice from 293 to 323 plus 323 to 353, i essentially get the same value which is wrong, the ans is around twice less.
 
quietrain said:
yea using that, i got the answer to a 1 time heat bath heating from 293 to 353 straight

but if i use that expression twice from 293 to 323 plus 323 to 353, i essentially get the same value which is wrong, the ans is around twice less.
You are assuming one heat bath at 80C. This is not what you are given. There are two heat baths (because it says that the water reaches equilibrium in both cases).

AM
 
both heat baths will always be at 80C right? so which part of my workings are wrong? you mean for the denominator of the bath entropy, i have to use

-C(323 - 293) / 323 -C(353 - 323)/353
?

but then that would mean one heat bath is at 80C and the other is maintained at 50C?
 
quietrain said:
both heat baths will always be at 80C right?
If that was the case, how could the 1000 g of water reach equilibrium at 50C?

so which part of my workings are wrong? you mean for the denominator of the bath entropy, i have to use

-C(323 - 293) / 323 -C(353 - 323)/353

but then that would mean one heat bath is at 80C and the other is maintained at 50C?
Correct.

AM
 
i see thankyou
 
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