Hydrogen plasma compression with liquid Mercury piston

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the kinetic energy conversion of a liquid mercury piston into work done on hydrogen plasma compression. The experiment involves a 5mm diameter, 5mm length mercury projectile fired at 0.00002 moles of hydrogen plasma at 300,000 Kelvin. The inquiry centers on the relationship between pressure and volume change, specifically whether higher pressures result in more work being done on the piston compared to the hydrogen plasma. The conclusion emphasizes the need to analyze the force and distance relationship under these extreme conditions to understand the energy transfer dynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamics, particularly gas laws and pressure-volume relationships.
  • Familiarity with plasma physics and conditions necessary for nuclear fusion.
  • Knowledge of fluid dynamics, especially regarding incompressible materials.
  • Basic principles of kinetic energy and work-energy theorem.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of plasma compression and conditions for achieving fusion.
  • Study the behavior of incompressible fluids under high-pressure scenarios.
  • Explore the kinetic energy conversion efficiency in projectile motion involving liquids.
  • Investigate advanced thermodynamic models for high-temperature hydrogen plasma interactions.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, engineers, and researchers interested in plasma physics, thermodynamics, and fusion energy applications will benefit from this discussion.

BrandonBerchtold
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I'm working on a thought experiment. I want to know how much of the kinetic energy from a liquid mercury piston will be converted into work done on the hydrogen plasma in the form of compression, and how much work will be done on the piston in the form of compression. Note: assume piston walls are incompressible.

A 5mm diameter, 5mm length liquid mercury projectile is to be fired down a barrel. The projectile is fired at 0.00002 mols of hydrogen plasma at 300000 Kelvin. The piston should ideally compress the plasma to the point at which fusion will occur.

I am wondering if at higher pressures, when the hydrogen is already compressed into a very small volume, will almost all of the work be done on the piston as it will be able to change volume much more than the hydrogen? Following work = force*distance, at high pressures, the force will be equal on the piston and the hydrogen plasma but the piston will be able to change volume more than the hydrogen, correct?

I know this is not the best defined problem but I am just looking for an idea of how to approach this problem.
 

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BrandonBerchtold said:
300000 Kelvin
Really?
 

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