Finding the number of moles of an ideal gas in a capillary

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on deriving the number of moles of an ideal gas in a capillary with a temperature gradient described by T = T0e^(-kx). The initial attempts to express the volume as a function of temperature and integrate led to incorrect conclusions about the relationship between volume and temperature. Participants emphasize the importance of considering the distance along the capillary as the independent variable, rather than treating temperature and volume changes independently. The correct approach involves understanding how the number of moles varies with the capillary's geometry and temperature gradient. Ultimately, the key takeaway is the need to properly apply the ideal gas law while accounting for the specific conditions of the problem.
Potatochip911
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Homework Statement


The temperature across the capillary with constant cross-sectional area and length L is given by ##T=T_0e^{-kx}##. Assuming an ideal gas and constant pressure show the number of moles to be: $$n=\frac{PV(e^{kL} - 1)}{RkLT_0}$$

Homework Equations


##PV=nRT##

The Attempt at a Solution



The equation of state can be expressed as ##g(P,V,T) = 0## but since pressure is given to be constant we have ##g(V,T) = 0## therefore we can express the volume as ##V=V(T)## from which we can get the differential for V as $$dV = (\frac{\partial V}{\partial T})dT = \frac{nR}{P}dT\\ V =\frac{nR}{P} \int_{T_i}^{T_f}dT = \frac{nR}{P}(T_f-T_i)$$

Using ##T=T_0e^{-kx}## it is evident that ##T_f = T_0e^{-kL}## and ##T_i = T_0## therefore $$V = \frac{nRT_0}{P}(e^{-kL}-1)\Longrightarrow n=\frac{PV}{nRT_0(e^{-kL}-1)}$$

Which clearly isn't the correct answer. I'm curious as to what the mistake is following this reasoning.

Another method I've attempted is for an ideal gas ##n=n(P,V,T)## but pressure is constant therefore ##n=n(V,T)## and we obtain the differential $$dn = \left(\frac{\partial n}{\partial V}\right)_{P,T} dV + \left(\frac{\partial n}{\partial T}\right)_{P,V} dT$$

Now I know from the the answer that ##\left(\frac{\partial n}{\partial T}\right)_{P,V}## must equal 0 since the answer is obtained from integrating ##dn = \left(\frac{\partial n}{\partial V}\right)_{P,T} dV ## but I can't seem to justify why ##\left(\frac{\partial n}{\partial T}\right)_{P,V}## should be equal to zero without setting both of them equal to zero.
 
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Potatochip911 said:
I'm curious as to what the mistake is following this reasoning.
You need to understand what your differential equation says. You have taken a constant n and expressed how the volume changes if you change the temperature. Since the change in temperature was negative, you got a negative volume change.
Consider segments length dx and the number of moles they contain.
 
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haruspex said:
You need to understand what your differential equation says. You have taken a constant n and expressed how the volume changes if you change the temperature. Since the change in temperature was negative, you got a negative volume change.
Consider segments length dx and the number of moles they contain.
Edit: Ok so that's the logic behind taking ##dn/dV## and then multiplying the ##dV## over and integrating, but shouldn't this also come from my second method in the main post?
 
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Potatochip911 said:
Edit: Ok so that's the logic behind taking ##dn/dV## and then multiplying the ##dV## over and integrating, but shouldn't this also come from my second method in the main post?
Your second method considers how n varies as T and V change independently. I cannot think what that means in the context of the question.
As I posted, your independent variable should be distance along the capillary.
 
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