# How far does the piston move

1. Jun 9, 2009

### bigboss

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
The ﬁgure shows a 50 kg lead cylindrical piston that ﬂoats on 0.68 mol of compressed air at 30°C. How far does the piston move if the temperature is increased to 300°C? (the base of the beaker is 10cm.

A)130 cm B)1300 cm C)120 cm D)250 cm

2. Relevant equations

?
3. The attempt at a solution

no clue

2. Jun 9, 2009

Re: Pressure/pistons

Think "Energy Balance"

Can you relate the internal energy change due to $\Delta T$ to the work needed to raise the piston?

3. Jun 9, 2009

### bigboss

Re: Pressure/pistons

is this a proper equation U= W+Q?

4. Jun 9, 2009

Re: Pressure/pistons

Yes. That is the "Energy Balance" for a thermodynamic system.

Now, what do each of the three terms represent?

5. Jun 9, 2009

### bigboss

Re: Pressure/pistons

internal energy= work + heat, and since temperature increases, internal energy increases also?

6. Jun 9, 2009

Re: Pressure/pistons

Yes. Internal energy in a direct measure of the temperature change, you should have read somewhere that:

$\Delta U=mc\Delta T$ (or something similar depending whether it is a per mass basis or molecular basis) and that $W=\int p\, dV$

7. Jun 9, 2009

### bigboss

Re: Pressure/pistons

ok so i have mass and change of T, how do i find C, also what do i do once i have change of U

8. Jun 9, 2009