Equalizing pressure between two vessels

  • Thread starter Thread starter kandelabr
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Pressure
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the thermodynamic principles governing the equalization of pressure between two insulated air containers with volumes V1 and V2, initial pressures p1 and p2, and a constant temperature T. The final pressure after connecting the containers is determined to be 6.43 bar, despite the confusion regarding entropy changes during the process. The calculations involve the ideal gas law (pV = mRT) and entropy equations, leading to a conclusion that entropy decreases, which contradicts the second law of thermodynamics. The key takeaway is that the final pressure is equal to the calculated value, but the entropy decrease indicates a misunderstanding of the system's behavior.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamics, specifically the ideal gas law.
  • Familiarity with entropy calculations in thermodynamic processes.
  • Knowledge of specific volumes and their role in gas behavior.
  • Basic principles of heat transfer and insulated systems.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the ideal gas law and its applications in thermodynamic systems.
  • Learn about entropy and the second law of thermodynamics in detail.
  • Explore the concept of specific volumes and their significance in gas mixtures.
  • Investigate the effects of heat transfer on pressure and temperature in insulated systems.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics and engineering, particularly those focusing on thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, will benefit from this discussion.

kandelabr
Messages
110
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


There are two insulated air containers, first with a volume V1 and second with V2. In the first there is a pressure p1 and in the second p2. The temperatures are the same in both, thus T. Then both containers are connected with a hose so that pressure equalizes, but no heat is transferred between them.
What are the final temperatures and final pressure?


2. Homework Equations
...

The Attempt at a Solution


If there was heat transfer between containers, the final temperature would be the same in both and even the same as the temperature T in the beginning and because of that I could calculate the final pressure using pV = mRT (R = gas constant for air), where I'd get mass for one container from specific volumes.

But this case with no heat transfer is a bit confusing. I can't get final pressure with the equation used above because I don't know the final temperatures. The book says the final pressure is the same as above, but I don't know why is it so.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
My results regarding the case where heat transfer occurs are that entropy actually decreases - using this formula:

s = Cvln(pend/p1) + Cpln(vend/v1) +
+ Cvln(pend/p2) + Cpln(vend/v2),

where v1 and v2 are specific volumes before mixing and vend is the final specific volume (the same for pressures).

The actual numbers are:
T = 293 K
p1 = 1 bar
p2 = 20 bar
V1 = 5m3
V2 = 2m3

From that I got
v1 = 0.8403 m3/kg)
v2 = 0.0420 m3/kg)
pend = 6.43 bar
vend = 0.1308 m3/kg

s = -206 J/kgK

I know entropy cannot be decreased with mixing, so what's wrong here?
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
424
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
16
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 116 ·
4
Replies
116
Views
8K