Solve Entropy vs Quality Problem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the relationship between entropy and the quality of energy in thermodynamic systems, particularly in gases at high temperatures. Participants explore how these concepts relate to the second law of thermodynamics and energy generation potential.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that higher temperatures in gases correlate with higher quality for energy extraction, yet also imply higher entropy, which complicates energy availability.
  • Another participant argues that "quality" has a specific meaning in thermodynamics and is independent of entropy, challenging the initial framing of the problem.
  • A participant expresses confusion about the relationship between entropy and quality, seeking guidance on how to reconcile these concepts.
  • One participant provides an example of air at 1000 K, noting its high entropy and questioning how it can still be considered high quality for energy generation.
  • Another participant questions the definition of "quality" and its implications, suggesting that it is not an absolute parameter and providing a hint regarding the extraction of work from gases at different temperatures.
  • A later reply offers a definition of "quality" as the ratio of incremental energy change to incremental entropy change, proposing that temperature serves as a measure of quality in thermodynamic systems.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between entropy and quality, with no consensus reached on how to compare these concepts. Some participants challenge the framing of the problem, while others attempt to clarify definitions and relationships.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of "quality" and "entropy," as well as the conditions under which energy extraction is considered. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of thermodynamic principles.

sd_barry
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I read that the higher the temperature of a substance (for example gas) the higher the quality to extract work from it.

But for the same substance, at same temperature, it would have high entropy as well which accounts for disorderness and hence less availibility of energy.

Please help me to solve the above problem.
 
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Ehhhhhhhh, don't say Entropy vs. Quality. Quality has a reserved meaning for a mixture and is independent of Entropy.
 
but this is still not clear, both are related to second law of thermodynamics and there must b a relation b/w them. if neone can guide me thru ths misery it would b appreciated
 
I don't know what you're even asking.
 
look let's consider air at 1000 K

at 1000 K it has a high entropy due to high disorderness, correct? thus it is very difficult to use it for energy generation, for example to rotate a turbine.

Where as it has a high quality also due to HIGH temperature which claims that v can use it easily to generate energy.

My question is: How can we compare entropy and quality?
 
"cyrus', what do you mean by "quality"?

Are you asking me, or is that to barry?
 
sd_barry said:
look let's consider air at 1000 K

at 1000 K it has a high entropy due to high disorderness, correct? thus it is very difficult to use it for energy generation, for example to rotate a turbine.

Where as it has a high quality also due to HIGH temperature which claims that v can use it easily to generate energy.

My question is: How can we compare entropy and quality?

Room temperature is at a higher temperature than liquid helium temperature. According to your hypothesis, it has a higher "quality" of energy. Now, can you please extract work out of a volume of room temperature air?

This is a hint on why what you state isn't an "absolute" parameter.

Zz.
 


'Quality' can be defined loosely as 'the propensity of energy to be converted to other forms of energy'. For a gas in a particular state, the quality would be the ratio of incremental energy (energy added or lost) per incremental entropy change, provided the energy change took place under conditions of constant volume and constant (molecular or atomic) composition.

To put it in more simpler terms, yes, a higher temperature gas has more entropy, but it also has more energy. The ratio of energy to entropy is the quality.

To put it in simple thermodynamic terms, under a constant-volume, constant-composition change, the incremental change of energy is given by

dE = T dS (first law of thermodynamics)

Hence,

T = dE / dS

and this is the measure of quality for this system. ie, the measure of quality is the temperature.
 
Hey thanks... I now get a clearer picture :)
 

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