Thermodynamic Work: Non-Conducting Piston & Cylinder

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a thermodynamics problem involving a non-conducting piston and cylinder system. The scenario includes a piston of mass m, with a spring and gas involved in the displacement process due to heating. Participants are exploring the work done in this context, considering the effects of heat and internal energy changes.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants attempt to apply the work-energy theorem to the system, questioning its applicability due to the presence of heat and internal energy changes. Others suggest that a clearer explanation of the problem setup and a detailed account of previous attempts would be beneficial for further discussion.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants seeking clarification on the problem statement and setup. There is a request for a free body diagram and a force balance equation on the piston, indicating a shift towards a more detailed analysis of the forces involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the need for a more precise problem statement and additional details regarding the setup, as well as the implications of applying concepts from freshman physics to this thermodynamic scenario.

Hydrous Caperilla
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Homework Statement



A non-conducting piston of mass m and area of cross section A is placed on a non-conducting cylinder.
Intial height of piston is h and spring is relaxed with a spring constant k.Then,work done in displacing pistin by heating gas is (x is the displacement of the pistion)

The diagram is of a cylindrical cylinder with a piston and a spring attached to the pistin in the middle .The spring can be compressed without any restrictions

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I thought of applying the work energy for this system but due to heat as well as change in internal energy,I think it won't work
 

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Hydrous Caperilla said:

Homework Statement



A non-conducting piston of mass m and area of cross section A is placed on a non-conducting cylinder.
Intial height of piston is h and spring is relaxed with a spring constant k.Then,work done in displacing pistin by heating gas is (x is the displacement of the pistion)

The diagram is of a cylindrical cylinder with a piston and a spring attached to the pistin in the middle .The spring can be compressed without any restrictions

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



I thought of applying the work energy for this system but due to heat as well as change in internal energy,I think it won't work[/B]
First of all you need to tell us what the question is. Second, you need to explain the set up better or provide a drawing. Finally, you need to show in a bit more detail what you have done to solve the problem and explain why you think your approach does not work.

AM
 
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The only thing I had thought for this was to use work energy theorem because no other informations were provided

I thought of using- W gas+W atm+W spring+W gravity=KE(final)-K.E (Initial)

However since the gas is heated there because of heat therefore I don't think this will apply
 
Hydrous Caperilla said:
The only thing I had thought for this was to use work energy theorem because no other informations were provided

I thought of using- W gas+W atm+W spring+W gravity=KE(final)-K.E (Initial)

However since the gas is heated there because of heat therefore I don't think this will apply
Are you taking a formal course in Thermodynamics currently?

Since you would seem to like to apply concepts from freshman physics to this problem, using a free body diagram, what is the algebraic force balance equation on the piston?

Also, as Andrew Mason has requested, please provide an exact statement of this problem. If your next response does not include that exact wording, this thread will be deleted.
 

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