Isothermic compression question. Need help

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a homework problem involving the isothermal compression of a gas. Participants are exploring the relationship between pressure, volume, and heat transfer in the context of the ideal gas law and are seeking clarification on how to calculate heat energy transfer without a given temperature.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the problem statement and expresses confusion about the variable nRT and how to find temperature T when it is not provided.
  • Another participant suggests that since the process is isothermal, nRT can be equated to P1V1 and P2V2, indicating that T can be derived from known values of pressure and volume.
  • A third participant explains the integral for work done during isothermal compression and relates it to the ideal gas law, emphasizing that n, R, and T are constants for a fixed mass of gas.
  • One participant attempts to solve the problem by substituting known values into the equations and arrives at a numerical answer for heat transfer, while also detailing the steps taken in the calculation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the calculation of temperature and the application of the ideal gas law. There is no consensus on how to find T, and the discussion includes multiple approaches to the problem without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not reached a definitive conclusion on the method to find temperature T, and there are unresolved assumptions regarding the values of n and R in the context of the problem.

rigger100472
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Homework Statement


The question I am stuck on is "0.253 m of gas is compressed isothermally from a pressure of 1 bar until its volume is 0.0313 m. Calculate the heat energy transfer. "

Homework Equations


I understand that work done = Heat transfer because it is isothermal but the equation I have to work with is:

Q=nRT ln V^2/V^1

I don't want the answer to this because I would like to understand, I just don't know what nRT is and how on Earth do I find T if it is not given in the answer.


The Attempt at a Solution


I have not attempted to answer yet
 
Last edited:
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rigger100472 said:
The question i am stuck on is "0.253m^3 of gas is co

What is your question?
What are your relevant equations?
Let's see your attempt at solution.
 
Sorry about the post being incomplete (don't know what happened). I have now edited the original post.
 
Hmm this question is bothering me. I definitely used to know how to do it.

I know that in an isothermal compression nRT = P1V1 = P2V2 = constant. Maybe that's how you find T, since you know P1V1 is.

EDIT: I think it is possible that this answer is correct because you're not subbing in a variable PV for NRT, you are subbing in P1V1, which are known, and known to be constant.
 
The basic idea that you need to understand is

W = \int^{1}_{2} P dv


P*V = n*R*T

Here n is the number of moles of the gas, R is the Boltzmann gas constant and T is the temperature. For an isothermal gas of fixed mass, n, R, and T are all constants. Therefore

P = (n*R*T) / V


\int^{1}_{2} P dv
= \int^{1}_{2} (n*R*T) / V dv
= (n*R*T)*\int^{1}_{2} 1 / V dv
= (n*R*T) * ln (v_{2}/v_{1})

Although I am not sure how you can find T, you can surely find n*T as you know the volume pressure and R you can use the equation PV = nRT to get n*T. That value you can use in your equation to find your answer

And the relationship PV = nRT comes from the ideal gas relationships which state that

\frac{P_1*V_1}{T_1} = \frac{P_2*V_2}{T_2}

As this relationship is true we can say for every mole of gas

\frac{P_1*V_1}{T_1} = \frac{P_2*V_2}{T_2} = K

This constant K is the Boltzmann gas constant R, and n is the number of moles of the gas.
 
Ok thanks for the info guys, I had a go at the question and this is what I came up with. What do you think?

Q=W=nRT∫_(V_2)^(V_1)▒PdV
but nRT=PV
Q=PV∫_(V_2)^(V_1)▒PdV
During isothermal compression
P_1 V_1=P_2 V_2⇒PV is a constant

In this case

PV=0.253

⇒P=PV/V=0.253/V⇒P_2=0.253/V_2 =7.167Bar


⇒Q=PV∫_(V_2)^(V_1)▒〖0.253/V dV〗

⇒Q=PV[0.253lnV]_0.0313^0.253
⇒Q=0.253(0.253ln0.253-0.253ln0.0313)

⇒Q=0.253(0.253ln0.253-0.253ln0.0313)
⇒Q=0.192
 

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