Does the First Law of Thermodynamics Allow for Heat Generation During Stirring?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the implications of the First Law of Thermodynamics in the context of a gas-stirrer system. It establishes that work done on the system by the stirrer increases the internal energy of the gas, resulting in a temperature rise. The relationship between work and heat transfer is clarified through equations demonstrating that the energy input during stirring equals the energy output during cooling, confirming energy conservation. The key takeaway is that while stirring generates heat, it is more accurate to state that the internal energy of the system increases rather than implying direct heat transfer.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the First Law of Thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with internal energy concepts
  • Knowledge of thermodynamic processes involving work and heat
  • Basic proficiency in thermodynamic equations and variables
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of the First Law of Thermodynamics in closed systems
  • Explore the relationship between work and internal energy changes in thermodynamic systems
  • Learn about specific heat capacities and their role in energy transfer
  • Investigate real-world applications of thermodynamic principles in engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students of thermodynamics, engineers working with heat transfer systems, and researchers interested in energy conservation principles will benefit from this discussion.

AAMAIK
Messages
45
Reaction score
0
Consider a system composed of a gas+stirrer at state 1, Work is done on the system by a rotating shaft, the stirrer activates high speed generating a significant amount of heat. The system is undergoing a process because the set of measurable properties to define its state are changing, If I disconnect the source delivering work, and let the gas cool down by putting my system in a cooler surrounding, it will release heat. If the assumption: Work done of my system=heat lost to the surrounding is true then consequently the initial state and final states are the same, but I can't accept this assumption as truth. For heat transfer to take place I have to place my system in a cooler surrounding, how is the quantity of heat transferred equal the work I added to my system
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
The initial system is at the same temperature as the surrounding environment? I'll assume so.
AAMAIK said:
Work done of my system=heat lost to the surrounding is true then consequently the initial state and final states are the same
If you only look at gas+stirrer this is true.
AAMAIK said:
For heat transfer to take place I have to place my system in a cooler surrounding
Cooler than the system after stirring.
AAMAIK said:
how is the quantity of heat transferred equal the work I added to my system
How could it be different? Energy is conserved and your system has a fixed energy to temperature relation (assuming nothing else happens in your gas, no chemical reactions and so on). If initial and final temperature are the same then initial and final energy are the same, and energy out = energy in.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: AAMAIK
At the end of the stirring process, the temperature of the gas is higher than its initial temperature: $$\Delta U_1=nC_v(T_1-T_0)=-W$$where -W is the work done by the stirrer on the gas. During the cooling step of your process, the gas cools down, and its final temperature is equal to its initial temperature (the temperature of the surroundings) prior to the stirring: $$\Delta U_2=nC_v(T_2-T_1)=nC_v(T_0-T_1)=Q=-\Delta U_1=W$$
When we say that the initial stirring "generates heat," what we are really very loosely saying is that the internal energy of the system increases, rather than any actual heat transfer being involved.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: AAMAIK

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
6K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K