Thermodynamics, ideal gas, probability distributions

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a thermodynamics problem involving an ideal gas and its properties. The probability distribution for the velocity component of gas particles is established, leading to calculations for normalized probability, average velocities, and heat transfer during isothermal compression. The adiabatic expansion is analyzed, with the conclusion that no heat is exchanged and work done by the gas is calculated. The main challenge lies in determining the volume of the gas after expansion, given its temperature and pressure, with the user seeking assistance for this final calculation. The thread highlights the complexities of applying the ideal gas law under specific conditions.
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I need some help with e), but could someone also check to see if the rest is correct?

Homework Statement


The velocity component v_x of gas particles in the x-direction is measured and the probability distribution for v_x is found to be P \propto e^{-\frac{-m v_x^2}{2 k_B T}} with m the mass of a gas particle and T the temperature.

a) Calculate the normalized probability distribution.

b) Calculate \langle v_x \rangle and \langle v_x^2 \rangle

c) Assume the gas is ideal and consists of N identical point-particles. The gas is isothermally compressed at temperature T from volume V to volume V/2, with N unchanged. Calculate the heat Q that is transferred to the surroundings.

d) Now from the volume V/2 the gas is adiabatically expanded to the original volume V. Calculate the end temperature T', the work done by the gas W' and the added heat Q' during this expansion.

e) After this expansion to volume V the gas has a temperature of T = 27 degrees Celsius and a pressure of 9 atmosphere. The number of gas particles is equal to Avogadro's constant N = 6 \times 10^23. Calculate the volume V in litres.

The Attempt at a Solution



a) 1 = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-\frac{-m v_x^2}{2 k_B T}} dv_x = A \sqrt{\frac{2 k_B T \pi}{m}}
So P = \sqrt{\frac{m}{2 k_B T \pi}}e^{-\frac{-m v_x^2}{2 k_B T}}

b) \langle v_x \rangle = \sqrt{\frac{m}{2 k_B T \pi}} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} v_x e^{-\frac{-m v_x^2}{2 k_B T}} dv_x = 0
\langle v_x^2 \rangle = \sqrt{\frac{m}{2 k_B T \pi}} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} v_x^2 e^{-\frac{-m v_x^2}{2 k_B T}} dv_x = \sqrt{\frac{m}{2 k_B T \pi}} \frac{1}{2} \sqrt{\frac{m^3 \pi}{8 k_B^3 T^3}}
c) \Delta W = - \int_{V}^{V/2} \rho dV = - \int_{V}^{V/2} \frac{N k_B T}{V} dV = -N k_B T \ln{\frac{1}{2}}
This is equal (save for the minus sign) to the amount of heat that is transferred to the surroundings, because we have that dW = - dQ.

d) In an adiabatic expansion there is no flow of heat, so Q' = 0 and dU = dW = C_V dT = -\rho dV = -\frac{N k_B T}{V} dV. This leads to:

\ln \frac{T'}{T} = - \frac{N k_B}{C_V} \ln \frac{V/2}{V}
Thus:

T' = \frac{1}{2} e^{- \frac{N k_B}{C_V}}
The work W' is:

W' = -\int_{V/2}^{V} \frac{N k_B T}{V} dV = N k_B T \ln 2
e) I can't just plug the numbers into the ideal gas equation since I'm missing the pressure, but I don't know how to do this one.
 
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Anyone got any idea about e)?
 
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