State equations for a thermodynamic substance/system

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the state equations for thermodynamic substances, particularly focusing on ideal gases. Participants explore the relationships between the variables of internal energy (U), temperature (T), entropy (S), pressure (p), and volume (V), and seek to identify a complete set of state equations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that there are three state equations for any thermodynamic system involving the variables U, T, S, p, and V.
  • Another participant identifies two state equations for ideal gases: \(pV=nRT\) and \(U=\frac{3}{2}nRT\), and inquires about a third equation involving entropy.
  • A subsequent post proposes a differential form for entropy, \(dS=\frac{3}{2}nR\frac{dT}{T}+nR\frac{dV}{V}\), as a potential third equation.
  • Another participant integrates the differential form to express entropy in terms of temperature and volume, suggesting \(S=\frac{3}{2}nR \ln T + nR \ln V\).
  • A challenge is raised regarding the dimensional consistency of the logarithmic terms in the proposed entropy equation.
  • A participant introduces the Sackur-Tetrode formula for the entropy of an ideal gas, emphasizing its derivation from semi-classical quantum considerations rather than classical thermodynamics.
  • Further clarification is provided on the derivation of entropy differences and the conditions under which the Sackur-Tetrode formula is consistent with classical thermodynamics.
  • Corrections are made regarding the expression for entropy differences, with a focus on the proper treatment of the terms involved.
  • Participants engage in correcting and refining earlier claims about the equations presented.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the completeness and correctness of the proposed state equations, particularly regarding the treatment of entropy and the dimensionality of the equations. There is no consensus on the final form of the equations or the validity of the approaches discussed.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the derivation of the Sackur-Tetrode formula requires additional considerations beyond classical thermodynamics, including quantum mechanics and the indistinguishability of particles. The discussion reflects ongoing uncertainty and refinement of ideas rather than settled conclusions.

cianfa72
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TL;DR
About the state equations for a thermodynamic substance/system.
Hi, as follow up to this thread I believe for any substance/thermodynamic system there exists actually a set of 3 state equations between the 5 variables ##(U,T,S,p,V)##.

For example in the case of ideal gas which are the 3 equations ? Thanks.
 
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What are your thoughts on this? Please also articulate your understanding of the definition of a "state equation."
 
Chestermiller said:
Please also articulate your understanding of the definition of a "state equation."
For an ideal gas, I'm aware of there are two state equations, namely $$pV=nRT$$ and $$U=\frac 3 2 nRT$$ From that thread it should be another equation in which enters the entropy ##S##. What is this third equation ?
 
Last edited:
cianfa72 said:
For an ideal gas, I'm aware of there are two state equations, namely $$pV=nRT$$ and $$U=\frac 3 2 nRT$$ From that thread it should be another equation in which enters the entropy ##S##. What is this third equation ?
How about $$dS=\frac{3}{2}nR\frac{dT}{T}+nR\frac{dV}{V}$$
 
Yes, integrating it we get $$S=\frac 3 2 nR \,lnT + nR\, lnV$$
 
That cannot be true, because you have dimensionful quantities in the logarithm. The correct Sackur-Tetrode formula for the entropy of an ideal gas is
$$S=\frac{5}{2} k_{\text{B}} N +k_{\text{B}} N \ln \left [ \frac{V}{N} \left (\frac{m U}{3 \pi \hbar^2 N} \right)^{3/2}\right].$$
 
vanhees71 said:
That cannot be true, because you have dimensionful quantities in the logarithm
Sorry, we cannot simply integrate the differential form in post #4 ?
 
[EDIT: Correted typos in formulae in view of #9]

From this you can only get the entropy differences, i.e.,
$$S-S_0=\frac{3}{2} n R \ln(T/T_0)+n R \ln(V/V_0)=n R \ln \left [\frac{V}{V_0} \left (\frac{T}{T_0} \right)^{3/2}\right] .$$
Now ##U=3 N k_{\text{B}} T/2## and ##n R=N k_{\text{B}}##. So you can write the above result as
$$S-S_0=N k_{\text{B}} \ln \left [\frac{V}{V_0} \left (\frac{U}{U_0} \right)^{3/2} \right].$$
Thus this is, of course, consistent with the Sackur-Tetrode formula for the absolute entropy, but the latter can only be derived by semi-classical quantum considerations, not from phenomenological classical thermodynamics.

You need in addition to the "classical fundamental Laws 0-2 of thermodynamics" also Nernst's theorem (3rd Law) as well as the indistinguishability of particles and the "natural measure" for phase-space volumes, which is determined by QT in terms of Planck's action constant, ##h=2 \pi \hbar##.

For details of a semi-classical argument for the entropy, see Sect. 1.5 in

https://itp.uni-frankfurt.de/~hees/publ/kolkata.pdf
 
Last edited:
vanhees71 said:
So you can write the above result as
$$S-S_0=N k_{\text{B}} \ln \left [\frac{V}{V_0} \left (\frac{U}{U_0} \right) \right].$$
From what you said, it should be actually: $$S-S_0=N k_{\text{B}} \ln \left [\frac{V}{V_0} \left (\frac{U}{U_0} \right)^{\frac 3 2} \right]$$
 
Last edited:
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  • #10
Of course. I correct it in the original posting.
 

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