In thermodynamics, when do you include work by external forces?

In summary: If it is, then the rectangle represents the work done resisting external forces. If the spring is not preloaded, then the rectangle would represent the work done by the spring itself.
  • #1
seang
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I'm having trouble understanding when to include work done by external forces. I think that's probably hard to understand so I'm going to ask about some examples.

Let's say, for example, you have a cylinder with a piston. When the pressure of the inside equals the (pressure of the outside, plus the force on the piston due to gravity), the piston moves and begins to do work, right? At the end of this process, the work done by the internal substance will exactly equal the opposite of the work done by the external pressure and force on the piston due to gravity, right?

However, let's take an example where you're removing heat from the cylinder, IE the piston moves in the same direction as the force on the piston due to gravity and the force due to the external pressure. Here, you would have to find the total work done on the piston and then break it down into how much work the internal substance did, and how much the external forces did?

One more, in many problems we've been asked to do, we're given a linear spring, and an atmospheric pressure (no mass on piston here for simplicity). On a PV(not specific) diagram, I usually end up with a triangle with a rectangle under it. The triangle is formed on the bottom by the distance between V1 and V2, on the side by the difference between P1 and P2 and the slope connecting these two lines is due to the spring. Under this triangle is a rectangle which extends down to the x-axis between V1 and V2 that is included in the work integral. Does this rectangle represent the work to do resisting external forces?
 
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  • #2
seang said:
I'm having trouble understanding when to include work done by external forces. I think that's probably hard to understand so I'm going to ask about some examples.

Let's say, for example, you have a cylinder with a piston. When the pressure of the inside equals the (pressure of the outside, plus the force on the piston due to gravity), the piston moves and begins to do work, right? At the end of this process, the work done by the internal substance will exactly equal the opposite of the work done by the external pressure and force on the piston due to gravity, right?
Yes.
However, let's take an example where you're removing heat from the cylinder, IE the piston moves in the same direction as the force on the piston due to gravity and the force due to the external pressure. Here, you would have to find the total work done on the piston and then break it down into how much work the internal substance did, and how much the external forces did?
That's one way of analyzing it.
One more, in many problems we've been asked to do, we're given a linear spring, and an atmospheric pressure (no mass on piston here for simplicity). On a PV(not specific) diagram, I usually end up with a triangle with a rectangle under it. The triangle is formed on the bottom by the distance between V1 and V2, on the side by the difference between P1 and P2 and the slope connecting these two lines is due to the spring. Under this triangle is a rectangle which extends down to the x-axis between V1 and V2 that is included in the work integral. Does this rectangle represent the work to do resisting external forces?
The interpretation depends on whether the spring is preloaded.
 

1. What is an external force in thermodynamics?

An external force in thermodynamics refers to any force that acts on a system from outside of the system. It can include things like gravity, pressure, or an applied force from an outside source.

2. When do you include work by external forces in thermodynamics calculations?

Work by external forces is included in thermodynamics calculations when there is a change in the system's volume or when the system is not in a state of equilibrium. This work is often represented as Wext and is considered an energy transfer to or from the system.

3. How do you calculate work by external forces in thermodynamics?

The work done by external forces in thermodynamics is calculated by multiplying the external force by the displacement of the system. This can be represented by the equation Wext = Fext x Δx.

4. Why is it important to consider work by external forces in thermodynamics?

Including work by external forces in thermodynamics calculations is important because it contributes to the overall energy balance of the system. Ignoring this work can lead to inaccurate calculations and a misunderstanding of the system's behavior.

5. Can work by external forces be negative in thermodynamics?

Yes, work by external forces can be negative in thermodynamics. This indicates that the external forces are doing work on the system, resulting in a decrease in the system's energy. It is important to consider the sign of work by external forces when analyzing thermodynamic systems.

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