Thermodynamics: calculating work question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating thermodynamic values for a constant pressure process involving 0.596 moles of CH3OH transitioning from gas to liquid. The values of q and ΔH were calculated to be -24188.775 J, while the challenge was determining the work (w) due to a lack of change in volume information. The original volume of superheated vapor was calculated using the ideal gas law, resulting in approximately 19.367 L, leading to a work value of +1962.36 J. The change in internal energy (ΔU) was then found by adding work to q. The participants confirmed the calculations and methods used, ensuring a clear understanding of the thermodynamic principles involved.
jybe
Messages
41
Reaction score
1
1. Homework Statement

What are the values of q, w, ΔU, ΔH for the following constant pressure process for a system containing 0.596 moles of CH3OH ?

CH3OH(g, 123.0 ºC, 1.00 atm) ⟶ CH3OH(l, 30.0 ºC, 1.00 atm)Molar heat capacity for CH3OH(g), Cp,m = 44.1 J K−1 mol−1

Molar heat capacity for CH3OH(l), Cp,m = 81.1 J K−1 mol−1

Enthalpy of vaporization, ΔvapH = 35.2 kJ mol−1 at 64.7 ºC and 1.00 atmCalculate:

q (done)

w (work)

ΔH (done)

ΔU (change in internal energy)

Homework Equations



w = -Pext(ΔV) -- following the convention that a +ve answer for work means a compression

ΔU = q + work

The Attempt at a Solution



I calculated q and ΔH to be -24188.775 (they are the same because it's constant pressure).

The problem I'm having is calculating work, because I don't have the change in volume. I think there's some sort of variation of pv = nrt involving the change in moles of gas, but I keep getting it wrong.

Can somebody help me out? Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In determining the change in volume, it is valid to neglect the volume of the condensed liquid compared to the original volume of superheated vapor. Using the ideal gas law, what is the original volume of superheated vapor?
 
Chestermiller said:
In determining the change in volume, it is valid to neglect the volume of the condensed liquid compared to the original volume of superheated vapor. Using the ideal gas law, what is the original volume of superheated vapor?

The original volume of gas is:
v= nrt/p

v = (0.596 mol)*(0.082058 atmL/(k*mol))*(123 + 173 K) all over 1 atm of pressure

v = 19.367 L initially of gas
 
So, what's ##p\Delta V## equal to?
 
Chestermiller said:
So, what's ##p\Delta V## equal to?

It is equal to 1 atm * 19.367 L

So to convert 19.367 atm*L to joules, I will multiply by 101.325 J

so work is equal to +1962.36 J ?

Edit: so to get the change in internal energy I just simply add work to q
 
jybe said:
It is equal to 1 atm * 19.367 L

So to convert 19.367 atm*L to joules, I will multiply by 101.325 J

so work is equal to +1962.36 J ?

Edit: so to get the change in internal energy I just simply add work to q
Yes. I would do it using ##\Delta H=\Delta U+\Delta (PV)## (which gives the same answer).
 
Chestermiller said:
Yes. I would do it using ##\Delta H=\Delta U+\Delta (PV)## (which gives the same answer).
Thank you so much! Not sure why I was even having trouble with this.
 
Back
Top