Internal energy enthelpy problem

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between internal energy (U), kinetic energy (KE), potential energy (PE), and enthalpy (H) within the context of the first law of thermodynamics. Participants explore the validity of different equations and concepts related to energy in closed and open systems.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the equation U = KE + PE + H (equation 1) is incorrect, as internal energy does not include kinetic and potential energy, which are considered additional forms of energy.
  • Others argue that kinetic and potential energy can be significant in certain scenarios, such as high-velocity fluids, and should be included in energy considerations.
  • A participant suggests that a clearer notation, such as using E for total energy, would improve understanding and consistency in equations.
  • There is a discussion about the proper context for using enthalpy, particularly in relation to flow work and control volumes, indicating that enthalpy is relevant in open systems.
  • Some participants emphasize the importance of distinguishing between open and closed systems in thermodynamics, providing examples to illustrate the concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the validity of the initial equation presented by the original poster. There are competing views regarding the inclusion of kinetic and potential energy in the definition of internal energy, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of terms and the assumptions made about the systems being analyzed. The relationship between energy forms and their applicability in different contexts (closed vs. open systems) is not fully resolved.

aeroguy
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
hello happy new year

i'm a little confused here after i saw this

U= KE + PE + H(enthalpy)----------------------1

while it is known that
H=U+PV------------------2

i'm sure that eqn 2 is true but do you think with m that 1 is not true ??


the problem is that my instructor use the eqn 1 in 1st law

Q-W= delta(KE +PE+H)
?!
thanks
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Hi aeroguy. Your instructor is correct. Kinetic and potential energy can be added to the first law. Often these are neglected because they're small, but when the fluid has a very high velocity, kinetic energy can be significant and shouldn't be neglected.
 
Though it is correct, as Q_Goest said, I think it is a poor choice of symbols. It would be better written using something like E for energy:

\Delta E = Q - W = \Delta KE + \Delta PE + \Delta U

for a closed system
 
hey guys
thanks
i guess you misunderstand me

i ask about the U:
U =delta KE + delta PE + ENTHALPY

my problem is it true that
U= (KE+PE)+ ENTHALPY <===========
WHILE
ENTHALPY=U+pv

?
thanks
 
Hi aero... you're right. I misunderstood you. Kinetic and potential energy are not part of the overall internal energy, they are in addition to it.

Take a look at this web page:
http://web.mit.edu/16.unified/www/FALL/thermodynamics/chapter_6.htm

Scroll down just a little (about 10% of the way down) to paragraph I.A.3. There's a blue circle with a question mark (?). Just above where that question mark is, they show the expanded relationship for the first law which includes kinetic, potential and also chemical energy. Kinetic and potential energy are not part of internal energy, they are in addition to it.

Note that Yeti also shows the correct relationship above.

The OP, equation 1 is incorrect:
U= KE + PE + H(enthalpy)----------------------1
 
Last edited by a moderator:
No, I understood your question which is why I pointed out that the correct equation should use the change in energy, not internal energy. My point about symbols is that you could define U to mean anything you want, but you need to be consistent; your example equations are not consistent. Additionally, you're using enthalpy in your equation which is only used when flow work is involved (i.e. a control volume with mass flowing past its boundaries) which for a given control volume with inlets (i) and exits (e) is, in general form:

\frac{dE}{dt}= \dot{Q}-\dot{W}+ <br /> <br /> \sum_{i}{\dot{m_{i}}\left(\ h_{i}+\frac{vel_{i}^{2}}{2}+g\:z_{i}\right)}}-\sum_{e}{\dot{m_{e}}\left(\ h_{e}+\frac{vel_{e}^{2}}{2}+g\:z_{e}\right)}}

You can see the enthalpy, KE, and PE terms in each stream in the equation. The equation I gave in my last post was for a closed system.
 
Last edited:
Hi Yeti. Thanks for that, it's an excellent post, and very nicely explained. Just a thought and a nitpick. I think it would help to also explain what you mean by open and closed system. I don't disagree with you but I think many students have a problem distinguishing this. Also, you need to add a negative sign before the second summation symbol. If I knew Latex, I'd write it out, but I don't. :blushing:
 
Of course I would leave out an important math operation...

As far as an open versus a closed system in thermodynamics (if anyone is interested). The simplest way to think of it is a closed system will allow heat and work to pass through the boundary, but not mass flow. An open system will allow all - work, heat, and mass - to pass through, but the boundary, called a control volume, must be more carefully chosen with the needed calculations in mind. An example of a closed system could be a piston and sealed cylinder - note that the piston represents a moving boundary, which is allowed. An open system example would be a water heater with incoming cold water, exiting hot water, and added heat.
 

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
856
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
4K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
6K