Thermodynamics - obtaining quenching entropy

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
7 replies · 5K views
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.
 
Physics 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)