Solving Piston with String Homework: Volume, Pressure, Temperature & Work

In summary, the cylinder is equipped with a piston which is connected by a spring to the bottom. The gas is confined in the space on the left side of the cylinder at a temperature of 300 K and the atmospheric pressure is 1 x 105 Pa. The work done by the gas during the change is 30 J.
  • #1
songoku
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325

Homework Statement


A cylinder is equipped with a smoothly movable piston which is connected by a spring to the bottom of the cylinder as shown in the figure. An ideal gas of 0.1 mol is confined in the space on the left side of the cylinder at a temperature of 300 K. The atmospheric pressure is 1 x 105 Pa. Take the cross-section area of the piston to be 1 x 10-3 m2, the spring constant to be 500 N/m and the gas constant to be 8.3 J / mol K

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1. Initially the spring is at its natural length. Calculate the volume of the gas

By heating the gas, the piston moves to the right a distance of 0.2 m
2. Calculate the pressure of the gas after the change

3. Calculate the temperature of the gas after the change

4. Calculate the work done by the gas during the change


Homework Equations


W = p ΔV
PV / T = constant
F = kx
W = 1/2 kx2



The Attempt at a Solution



1. done (ans = 2.5 x 10-3 m3 )

2.
P = F/A = kx/A = (500) (0.2)/(1 x 10-3) = 1 x 105 Pa

but the answer is 2 x 105 Pa.

So should it be the initial pressure + P = 1 x 105 Pa + 1 x 105 Pa = 2 x 105 Pa ??

3. no problem if (2) done

4. work done = 1/2 kx2 = 1/2 (500) (0.2)2 = 10 J

but the answer is 30 J...don't know what to do and why I was wrong...

thanks
 
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  • #2
The piston/ cylinder is exists at room temperature. Inside the cylinder the pressure is a 1 X 10^ 5 pa creating a force of 100N on the piston. Outside the cylinder is the same pressure and force so everything is in equilibrium. You heat the gas in the cylinder the spring compresses and pushes back with 100 N. So the total force on the outside face of the cylinder is 200N, Total force inside the cylinder is 200n or 2 X 10^5 pa. This 200 N force moves the piston .2 m doing 40J of work but the spring does 10J of work in the opposite direction, 40J-10J = 30 J total work done.
 
  • #3
RTW69 said:
The piston/ cylinder is exists at room temperature. Inside the cylinder the pressure is a 1 X 10^ 5 pa creating a force of 100N on the piston. Outside the cylinder is the same pressure and force so everything is in equilibrium. You heat the gas in the cylinder the spring compresses and pushes back with 100 N. So the total force on the outside face of the cylinder is 200N, Total force inside the cylinder is 200n or 2 X 10^5 pa. This 200 N force moves the piston .2 m doing 40J of work but the spring does 10J of work in the opposite direction, 40J-10J = 30 J total work done.

wew, didn't cross my mind before...thanks a lot !
 

1. How do I calculate the volume of a piston using string?

To calculate the volume of a piston using string, you will need to measure the length of the string wrapped around the piston, as well as the diameter of the piston. Then, use the formula V = π*r^2*h, where r is the radius of the piston and h is the length of the string. This will give you the volume in cubic units.

2. How does pressure affect the movement of a piston?

Pressure is directly related to the movement of a piston. As pressure increases, the piston will move further down, and as pressure decreases, the piston will move back up. This is because pressure is created by the force pushing down on the piston, which in turn creates a force that moves the piston in the opposite direction.

3. How does temperature affect the volume of a piston?

Temperature affects the volume of a piston through the ideal gas law, which states that at a constant pressure, the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature. This means that as the temperature of the gas inside the piston increases, the volume will also increase, and vice versa.

4. What is the relationship between work and the movement of a piston?

The movement of a piston is directly related to the work done on it. Work is defined as the force applied to an object multiplied by the distance it moves. In the case of a piston, the force is created by the pressure pushing down on the piston, and the distance it moves is the length of the string wrapped around it. Therefore, the more work done on the piston, the greater the movement of the piston.

5. Can I use the same formula to calculate the volume, pressure, temperature, and work of a piston with any type of string?

Yes, the formula for calculating the volume, pressure, temperature, and work of a piston using string is universal and can be applied to any type of string. However, it is important to make sure that the measurements used in the formula are accurate and consistent.

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