Pressure Volume graph finding total mole of gas

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the number of moles of an ideal monoatomic gas undergoing a specific thermodynamic cycle. The initial calculation yielded 1.5 moles using the ideal gas equation, but uncertainties arose regarding the temperatures at points 2 and 3 due to the linear pressure drop. Participants confirmed that the number of moles remains constant throughout the process, simplifying calculations. The efficiency of the cycle and its comparison to a Carnot cycle were also discussed, with participants expressing uncertainty about deriving the efficiency. Ultimately, the temperatures at points 2 and 3 were successfully determined, resolving the main concerns of the problem.
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Homework Statement


An ideal monoatomic gas undergoes the following cycle:
from 1.) V1 = 1m3, p1=2.5kPa, T1=200k to 2) V2=1m3, p2=7.5kPa then to 3)V3=3m3, p3=2.5kPA, and 4) back to 1).

a. Sketch
b. How many mole of gas are in the process?
c. Give the missing temperatures at positions 2. and 3.
d. Find the efficiency of this cycle
e. Compare this efficiency with that of a Carnot cycle between the highest
and lowest temperatures reached in the above cycle.

The transition from 2 → 3 is a linear decrease of the pressure as a function of the
volume

Homework Equations



PV=nRT

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
I drew the graph

http://imgur.com/7tSPE0k

for the first 1 I used n = PV/RT and got 1.5... moles. Now for the second one how should I do it when I have two unknowns. Knowing that from point 1) V1 = 1 and p1 = 2.5 to point 2) pressure changed and there is a linear line going down in the graph the Temperature is not the same in point one. Having two unknowns how to find number of moles in the second part?
 
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I think the idea is that the number of moles stays the same...so there is only one unknown

I do miss a question in you problem statement, though... What are you supposed to find from this cycle ?
 
BvU said:
I think the idea is that the number of moles stays the same...so there is only one unknown

I do miss a question in you problem statement, though... What are you supposed to find from this cycle ?
Ah Sorry I didn't write the whole question.
b. How many mole of gas are in the process?
c. Give the missing temperatures at positions 2. and 3.
d. Find the efficiency of this cycle
e. Compare this efficiency with that of a Carnot cycle between the highest
and lowest temperatures reached in the above cycle.
 
So, finding the temperature at point 2 is no longer a problem ?
 
BvU said:
So, finding the temperature at point 2 is no longer a problem ?
Yes it a no problem. I got them thanks! just the last question I don't know how to solve it
 
Well, I've seen the sketch, seen the 1.5 moles, so a) and b) are in the pocket.
I can kind of guess T2 but have no idea about T3 :)
So I wonder what came out of c) and d) ;)

For the Carnot cycle there is a clear efficiency expression, see e.g. here
 
BvU said:
Well, I've seen the sketch, seen the 1.5 moles, so a) and b) are in the pocket.
I can kind of guess T2 but have no idea about T3 :)
So I wonder what came out of c) and d) ;)

For the Carnot cycle there is a clear efficiency expression, see e.g. here
I got both for T2 and T3 same temperatures.
 
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