Solve Ideal Gas Problem Homework: Compute Work Done by Air

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The problem involves calculating the work done by air during an isothermal expansion and subsequent cooling at constant pressure. The initial conditions include a volume of 0.140 m³ and a gauge pressure of 103.0 kPa, which must be converted to absolute pressure for accurate calculations. The correct approach involves using the actual pressure of 101.3 kPa for the second state, while the first pressure should be treated as absolute by adding atmospheric pressure. The calculations yield a total work of 5.6 kJ when the pressures are correctly interpreted. Understanding the distinction between gauge and absolute pressure is crucial for solving this type of problem.
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Homework Statement


Air that initially occupies 0.140m3 (V1) at a gauge pressure of 103.0 kPa (p1) is expanded isothermally to a pressure of 101.3 kPa (p2) and then cooled at constant pressure until it reaches its initial volume. Compute the work done by the air.


Homework Equations


Wisothermal = nRTln(V2/V1)
Wisobaric = p2ΔV = p2(V1 - V2)
Wisothermal + Wisobaric = Wtotal


The Attempt at a Solution


We can find V2 easily enough by multiplying p1 and V1 and dividing by p2 because both p1V1 and p2V2 equal nRT. I can now fill in most of the formula:

nRTln(V2/V1) + p2(V1 - V2) = Wtotal

Here, I thought I could then just back substitute nRT for either p1V1 or p2V2 and I'd be golden but the answer I'm getting is different from the back of the book (5.6 kJ). I'm getting .001 kJ with plugging these in:

Wtotal = (103kPa)(0.140m3)ln(0.140m3/.141m3) + (101.3 kPa)(.140m3 - .141m3)

Unfortunately, if I use the actual pressure, I still don't get the desired answer:

Wtotal = (204kPa)(0.140m3)ln(0.140m3/.141m3) + (202.3 kPa)(.140m3 - .141m3)

What am I fundamentally missing here? Thanks in advance.

*** ANSWER ***

Doc Al said:
They may be pulling a sneaky one on you. Only the first pressure given is specified as gauge pressure. Treat the second pressure as actual pressure. (That would make this a much more realistic problem!)

Wtotal = (204kPa)(0.140m3)ln(0.140m3/.141m3) + (101.3 kPa)(.140m3 - .141m3) = 5.6 kPa
 
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For one thing, how does gauge pressure relate to absolute pressure?
 
Gauge pressure is the difference between the atmospheric pressure and the actual pressure in the object.
 
jeff.berhow said:
Gauge pressure is the difference between the atmospheric pressure and the actual pressure in the object.
Right. But in your calculation, you used the gauge pressure. (At least that's what you wrote.)
 
Doc Al said:
Right. But in your calculation, you used the gauge pressure. (At least that's what you wrote.)

You're absolutely right, Doc Al. I've updated my original post to reflect that. Thanks! :)
 
jeff.berhow said:
Air that initially occupies 0.140m3 (V1) at a gauge pressure of 103.0 kPa (p1) is expanded isothermally to a pressure of 101.3 kPa (p2) and then cooled at constant pressure until it reaches its initial volume. Compute the work done by the air.
They may be pulling a sneaky one on you. Only the first pressure given is specified as gauge pressure. Treat the second pressure as actual pressure. (That would make this a much more realistic problem!)
 
That was it! Man, it feels like this is a reading comprehension problem more than an actual physics problem. I was really worried that I wasn't understanding something very fundamental about pressures, temperatures and volumes.

Thanks Doc Al!
 
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