Physical Chemistry: Adiabatic Expansion of Clouds at Altitude

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the adiabatic expansion of a cloud moving from an altitude of 2000m (P = 0.802 atm) to 3500m (P = 0.602 atm) and its impact on temperature and moisture content. The initial temperature is given as 288K, with specific heat at constant pressure (CP,m) for air being 28.86 J/Kmol. The final temperature (T2) is calculated to be 265K using the formula T2 = T1 ((P2/P1)^(1/γ))R/CV,m, where CV,m is derived as 20.546 J/Kmol and γ is 1.405. The discussion also highlights the importance of proper integration techniques in solving thermodynamic problems.

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  • Understanding of adiabatic processes in thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with the ideal gas law and its applications
  • Knowledge of specific heat capacities (CP,m and CV,m)
  • Basic calculus for integration techniques
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  • Learn about the implications of moisture condensation in adiabatic expansions
  • Explore the ideal gas law and its applications in real-world scenarios
  • Review integration techniques relevant to thermodynamic equations
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Homework Statement
Cloud moves from alt. 2000m (P = 0.802atm) to 3500m (P = 0.602) when it encounters a mountain. It expands adiabatically. The initial temp is 288K, CP,m for the air is 28.86 J/Kmol (assume ideal). What is the final temp and will it drop it's moisture?The attempt at a solution
This is what I did. CV,m = CP,m - R
CV,mdT = -\frac{RT}{V}dV
\intCV,mdT = \int-\frac{RT}{V}dV divide by T
CV,m\int\frac{1}{T}dT = -R\int\frac{1}{V}dV
CV,mln(\frac{T2}{T1}) = R ln(\frac{V1}{V2}) rearrange
T2 = T1(V1/V2)R/CV,m this to solve for T2, but 2 variables, so...

P1V1\gamma = P2V2\gamma solve for the ratio V1/V2
\frac{V1}{V2} = (\frac{P2}{P1})1/\gamma

T2 = T1 ((\frac{P2}{P1})1/\gamma)R/CV,m

CV,m = CP,m - R = 20.546 \gamma = CP,m/CV,m = 1.405

T2 = 288 ((\frac{0.602}{0.802})1/1.405)8.314/20.546 = 265KSomeone please tell me if I did this right, if not, what did I do wrong...and how do I know if it will drop moisture?

This is my first HW question in Pchem I and only the 2nd week of the semester, so please explain anything so I can understand it.
 
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You should reverse the order of your first and second steps. Divide by T before integrating. Once the integral signs are there, you can't just divide to move variables from one side of the equation to the other. Your solution otherwise looks okay, but you could have done it more directly by simply using just the ideal gas law and the relationship PV^\gamma=c, where c is a constant.

I don't know about the moisture. Perhaps someone else can chime in on that part of the problem.
 

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