Thermodynamic Processes: Ideal Gas Expansion and Compression

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a thermodynamic process concerning an ideal gas, specifically oxygen, contained in a cylinder with a piston. The gas undergoes a series of processes: isobaric expansion, isothermal compression, and isochoric cooling. The original poster seeks to compute the temperature during the isothermal compression, the maximum pressure, and the total work done by the piston on the gas.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster expresses uncertainty about how to begin calculating the temperature during the isothermal compression and seeks guidance. Some participants suggest using the ideal gas equation and clarify the meaning of isobaric conditions. Others mention relationships between pressure, volume, and temperature that could aid in finding the necessary values.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify concepts related to the ideal gas law and the specific thermodynamic processes involved. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of the ideal gas equation, but the original poster's initial confusion indicates that the discussion is still in a formative stage. The original poster later indicates they have solved the question, suggesting some resolution has been reached.

Contextual Notes

The original poster's frustration with the problem suggests that they may be grappling with the application of thermodynamic principles and the ideal gas law. There is an emphasis on understanding the relationships between pressure, volume, and temperature in the context of the processes described.

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Homework Statement



A cylinder with a piston contains 0.250 moles of oxygen at 2.40 * 10^5 Pa and 355K. The oxygen may be treated as an ideal gas. The gas first expands isobarically to twice its original volume. It is then compressed isothermally back to its original volume, and finally it is cooled isochorically to its original pressure

Compute the temperature during the isothermal compression.
Compute the maximum pressure.
Compute the total work done by the piston on the gas during the series of processes.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



For the first question Compute the temperature during the isothermal compression, I really have no idea how to start. I've been searching through my lecture notes and textbook for an hour and I just can not figure out a strategy to calculate it.

I've calculated the maximum pressure because it's simply double the initial, and if I could just solve for the T in part 1 I could calculate the work done. Very frustrated please help!
 
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The oxygen may be treated as an ideal gas

Use the ideal gas equation

To find the work you need only information about the volume and pressure
 
If you remember that isobaric means the pressure remains constant you can find the temperature during the expansion. Then during the compression, the problem says the temperature does not change because it is an isothermic compression.

Find the temperature from the ideal gas equation: \ PV=nRT

This also may help: \ P_1V_1 / P_2V_2 = T_1 / T_2 (if the pressure is the same, what does this simplify to?)
 
Thanks guys I have solved the question!
 

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