Thermodynamics - obtaining quenching entropy

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the total entropy change during the quenching of a metal in water, focusing on the thermodynamic principles involved. Participants explore the necessary equations and relationships to determine entropy changes without pressure values.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a quenching problem with specific parameters for metal and water, seeking help to calculate the total entropy change.
  • Another participant suggests using an equation that connects differential entropy change (dS) to specific heat capacity (Cp) for integration.
  • A participant expresses concern about obtaining negative values from the entropy equation, indicating a potential issue with their calculations.
  • There is a confirmation that the total entropy change should include contributions from both the quenched metal and the water.
  • Some participants note that it is not unusual for the entropy of a hot object to decrease as it cools, while emphasizing that the total entropy change in the universe must increase.
  • A later reply provides a formula for calculating the total entropy change, incorporating the mass and specific heat capacities of both the metal and water.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach to sum the entropy changes of both the metal and water. However, there are differing views on the implications of negative entropy changes and the overall behavior of entropy in the context of the universe.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of pressure values and the potential impact on the accuracy of their entropy calculations. There are unresolved concerns regarding the negative values obtained in the calculations.

mouser
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
I'm having a problem determining the total entropy change in a metal quenching problem. Here is the information I am given (subscript 'm' is for metal, 'w' is water):

mm = 20 kg
mw = 1000 kg
T1m = 800 C
T1w = 30 C
Cpm = .4 kJ/kg K
Cpw = 4.18 kJ/kg K

With this information, I found T2 to be 304.6 K.

How can I obtain the entropy change with this information? I have no pressure values, and all my entropy equations involve pressure, or specific volume which depends on pressure. Thanks for any help.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Do you know of an equation that connects dS to Cp that you might be able to integrate?
 
I did find a relationship, but it is returning negative values for me, so something is amiss...

s2 - s1 = Cp ln(T2/T1)

I'm trying to find the total entropy change. Would that mean that I sum the entropy change in the quenched metal and the water?
 
mouser said:
Would that mean that I sum the entropy change in the quenched metal and the water?

Yes.

CS
 
Yes. It's not unusual for entropy to decrease; it happens whenever a hot object cools down.
 
mouser said:
I did find a relationship, but it is returning negative values for me, so something is amiss...

s2 - s1 = Cp ln(T2/T1)

You'll need to consider the mass of each as well in your equation.

CS
 
Mapes said:
Yes. It's not unusual for entropy to decrease; it happens whenever a hot object cools down.

Caveat:

But the total change in the universe will always increase.

CS
 
Wow, thanks for all the responses everyone :). OK so here is what I came up with, and it seems to be giving me the right answer, but just for future reference:

s2-s1 = mmCpm ln(T2/Tm1) + mwCpw ln(T2/Tw1)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
5K
Replies
25
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K