Thermodynamic Work: Non-Conducting Piston & Cylinder

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The discussion centers around a thermodynamic problem involving a non-conducting piston, cylinder, and spring system. Participants emphasize the need for a clearer problem statement and a better explanation of the setup, including a diagram. There is a debate on the applicability of the work-energy theorem due to the influence of heat and internal energy changes in the system. Suggestions include using a free body diagram to establish a force balance on the piston. Clarity and detail in the problem description are crucial for effective problem-solving.
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 enrgy 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 enrgy 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.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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