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

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the entropy change of a system consisting of water and a heat bath during a two-step heating process. The original poster presents a scenario where water is heated from 20°C to 50°C and then from 50°C to 80°C, while assuming equilibrium is reached after each step.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the total entropy change using integrals for each heating step but finds a discrepancy between their calculated value and the expected result. Some participants question the assumptions made regarding the heat baths and their temperatures during the process.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the implications of using two heat baths at different temperatures and how this affects the entropy calculations. There is an ongoing examination of the assumptions regarding the heat baths and the integration approach used for the entropy calculations.

Contextual Notes

There is a discussion about the temperatures of the heat baths and how they relate to the equilibrium states of the water during the heating process. The original poster is uncertain about the correct application of the entropy formula in the context of multiple heat baths.

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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[tex]\int_{293}^{323} \frac{C}{T}\,dT=C\cdot\ln\left(\frac{323}{293}\right)[/tex]
 
SammyS said:
[tex]\int_{293}^{323} \frac{C}{T}\,dT=C\cdot\ln\left(\frac{323}{293}\right)[/tex]

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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