Entropy Change in Heat Pump: House Heating and Exterior Effects

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the entropy changes associated with a heat pump heating a house during winter. When heat is extracted from the cold exterior and transferred to the warmer interior, the entropy of the interior increases due to the positive change in enthalpy. However, the entropy change is greater outside the house because the temperature difference between the interior and exterior leads to a larger absolute change in entropy, as defined by the equation delta S = delta H / T. This conclusion highlights the significance of temperature in determining entropy changes in thermodynamic processes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamics principles, specifically entropy and enthalpy.
  • Familiarity with the equation delta S = delta H / T.
  • Knowledge of heat pump operation and its role in heating systems.
  • Basic grasp of temperature effects on thermodynamic systems.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of thermodynamics, focusing on entropy and enthalpy changes.
  • Learn about the operation and efficiency of heat pumps in HVAC systems.
  • Research the impact of temperature differentials on entropy changes in thermodynamic processes.
  • Explore real-world applications of heat pumps in residential heating and their environmental effects.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying thermodynamics, HVAC engineers, and professionals involved in energy efficiency and heat pump technology.

3ephemeralwnd
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Homework Statement



A heat pump heats a house in winter by extracting heat from the cold outdoors and releasing it into the warm interior. for the transfer of a given amount of heat, (a) how do the entropies of the interior and exterior of the house change (increase or decrease)
b)which change is greater? Assume that the temperatures inside and outside the house do not change. explain your answers.

Homework Equations



delta S = detal H / T

The Attempt at a Solution



since change in entropy is proportional to chnange in enthalpy, if the house is being heated, there is a positive change in enthalpy, and therefore an increase in entropy

but for part b, the answer in the book says change in entropy is greater OUTside of the house. why is that? the heat lost from outside is the heat gained inside, so shouldn't this be the case for entropy as well?
 
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3ephemeralwnd said:
but for part b, the answer in the book says change in entropy is greater OUTside of the house. why is that? the heat lost from outside is the heat gained inside, so shouldn't this be the case for entropy as well?

Not if the temperatures are different.
 

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