Temperature and entropy for two gases mixing

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around calculating the final temperature and total change in entropy for a system containing 10 kg of neon gas at 20°C and 10 kg of nitrogen gas at 100°C after mixing. The user initially attempted to solve the problem using the ideal gas law and pressure equations, but their approach was incorrect due to a misunderstanding of thermodynamic principles. The correct solution involves recognizing that there is no change in internal energy, leading to a different formula for final temperature, which incorporates specific heat capacities.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ideal gas laws, specifically the equation pV=nRT.
  • Knowledge of internal energy calculations for ideal gases.
  • Familiarity with thermodynamic principles, particularly regarding energy conservation during mixing.
  • Basic concepts of entropy and its calculation in thermodynamic processes.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the internal energy formula for ideal gases.
  • Learn about the principles of thermodynamic equilibrium and energy conservation.
  • Research the calculation of entropy changes in mixing processes.
  • Explore specific heat capacities for different gases and their implications in thermodynamic calculations.
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Students studying thermodynamics, particularly those tackling problems involving gas mixtures and energy conservation, as well as educators looking for clarification on common misconceptions in thermodynamic calculations.

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Homework Statement


A system is made up of two halves. In one there's 10kg neon gas with the temperature ##20 \circ##C, in the other 10kg nitrogen gas with the temperature ##100 \circ## C. Suppose the septum is removed so that thermodynamic equilibrium may appear and the gases mix.

Calculate the final temperature ##T_f## and the total change in entropy.

Homework Equations


##pV=nRT##
Internal energy (ideal gas)
##U = nC_VT##

The Attempt at a Solution


I got two solutions (for the first question), one done by me and one by our lecturer (who I unfortunaly can't ask) and what I'm wondering why mine is wrong (if it is).
My solution:
##n_1 = \frac{10\cdot 10^3}{20.17} = 495.8 mol##
##n_2 = \frac{10 \cdot 10^3}{2*14} = 357 mol##
Assuming the gas is ideal we get
##p_1=n_1RT_1/V_1## and ##p_2 = n_2RT_2/V_1##
Now assuming the gases where alone one at a time in the container double the volume we would get
##p_{f1} = n_1RT_f/(2V_1)## and ##p_(f2) = n_2RT_f/(2V_1)##
Assuming the mixing is done first by an isothermal and then and isokor process (our teacher made the exact same assumption as well)
##p_f = p_{f1} +p_{f2} = \frac{n_1RT_1}{2V_1} + \frac{n_2RT_2}{2V_2} = \frac{R}{2V_2}(n_1T_1+n_2T_2)##
I now make the assumption that pressure from both gases is equal to the pressure from each of the gases added together (I don't know if this is correct but I think there is some thermodynamic principle that allow me to use the superposition principle here).
##p_f\cdot 2V_1 = (n_1+n_2)RT_f##
Inserting ##p_f## into the equation gives us
##T_f = \frac{n_1T_1+n_2T_2}{n_1+n_2}##

While the one done by teacher uses internal energy and instead end up at the answer of
##T_f = \frac{3/2n_1T_1+5/2n_2T_2}{3/2n_1+5/2n_2}##I could add the solution from our teacher too if it's needed (it's rather lengthy) but I'm mostly wondering if anyone could see what I do wrong. Both solutions give numeric values well within the solution at the back of the book but I would assume I'm wrong, I just don't know why.
 
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Your assumption that, after mixing, the partial pressures of the two gases is the same is incorrect.

The key to this problem is recognizing that there is no change in internal energy. That's what your teacher did. You can see that from the 5/2 and 3/2 factors.

Chet
 
Thanks again Chet, always helping me out!
 

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