Thermal Expansion of Gas - am I on the right track?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the thermal expansion of an ideal gas, specifically focusing on the heat required to double the volume of one mole of gas at constant pressure. The problem involves concepts from thermodynamics and the ideal gas law.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to relate heat transfer to changes in internal energy and enthalpy but questions how to proceed without knowing the final temperature or pressure. Other participants suggest using the ideal gas law to derive the pressure and final temperature, while some express frustration about the complexity of the problem.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring various equations and relationships relevant to the problem, including the ideal gas law and the definitions of enthalpy and internal energy. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of the ideal gas law to find the final temperature, but no consensus has been reached on the overall approach.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the final temperature and pressure, as well as the implications of the constant pressure condition on the calculations. The original poster expresses confusion about the relationships between the variables involved.

Quelsita
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Question:
One mole of an ideal gas with cv=2.5R, initially at 0.0degC, is heated at constant pressure. How much heat is needed to double its volume?

Solution:

Know:
n=1
T0=273.15K
cv=2.5R
[tex]\Delta[/tex]P=0
Vf=2V0

H=U +PV
and thus, Q= [tex]\Delta[/tex]H
Q=ncv[tex]\Delta[/tex]T

We can rearrange to find
[tex]\Delta[/tex]H=[tex]\Delta[/tex]U +P(2V0-V0) -> since Vf=2V0

My question is, what do I do with the internal energy? and how can I find the pressure with the given information if I also don't know the final temp?
 
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Hint: it's an ideal gas.
 
Well, for an ideal gas PV=nRT.
And since P is constant, can I say that:

P0 = (nRT0)/V0
is the same as
P= (nRT0)/V0

so , P= [(273.15K)(nR)]/V0
 
What's the final temperature?
 
Honestly, I'm kinda stuck here. It feels to me like with the information I have that I'm just going in circles using one equation to solve another one.
I don't think this question should even be this confusing...
 
Use the ideal gas law to find the final temperature when the volume is doubled at constant pressure.
 

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