Thermodynamics: Possible process between a van der Waals gas and an ideal gas

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the thermodynamic relationship between a van der Waals gas and an ideal gas, particularly examining energy variations and entropy changes. It establishes that the internal energy equations for both gas types lead to the conclusion that the final temperature of the ideal gas equals the initial temperature of the van der Waals gas. The change in molar entropy for both gases is calculated, revealing that the entropy change for the ideal gas simplifies to a function of temperature alone, while the van der Waals gas entropy also considers volume adjustments. The key challenge identified is analyzing constraints, particularly when summing entropies results in zero, which complicates the understanding of the process. The solution suggests a reversible process involving temperature reservoirs to facilitate the transition between the two gas types.
runinfang
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Homework Statement
One mole of a monatomic ideal gas and one mole of an ideal van der Waals fluid with c = 3/2 are contained separately in vessels of fixed volumes v1 and v2. The temperature of the ideal gas is T1 and that of the van der Waals fluid is T2. It is desired to bring the ideal gas to temperature T2, maintaining the total energy constant. What is the final temperature of the van der Waals fluid? What restrictions apply among the parameters (T 1, T2 , a, b, v1, v2) if it is to be possible to design an engine to accomplish this temperature inversion (assuming, as always, that no external system is to be altered in the process)?
Relevant Equations
Internal energy of an ideal gas: ## u = CRT##
Internal energy of the van der Waals fluid: ##u = CRT - \frac{a}{v}##
Since the energy variation is zero:

$$
\Delta U = \Delta U_{1} + \Delta U_{2} = 0
$$

The energy for a monatomic ideal gas is ## u = CRT##, and the energy for a Van der Waals gas is

$$
u = CRT - \frac{a}{v},
$$

obtained through

$$
\frac{1}{T} = \frac{CR}{a + \frac{a}{v}}.
$$

Summing the internal energies:

$$
\text{CRT}_{1} + \text{CRT}_{2} - \frac{a}{v_{2}} = \text{CRT}_{1} + \text{CRT}_{f} - \frac{a}{v_{2}}
$$

$$
T_{1} + T_{2} = T_{2} + T_{f}
$$

$$
T_{1} = T_{f}
$$

This is the first part of the problem. I'm not sure about the answer... I’ve seen other solutions that gave quite different results, but I don’t know how to arrive at those or if they are correct.

To identify the second question, to identify the constraints, ##\Delta S \geq 0 \##. I tried using molar entropy to simplify.

The change in molar entropy for an ideal gas is:

$$
\Delta S = cR \ln\left(\frac{T}{T_{0}}\right) + R \ln\left(\frac{v}{v_{0}}\right)
$$

Applying it to the problem, we have:

$$
\Delta S = cR \ln\left(\frac{T_{2}}{T_{1}}\right) + R \ln\left(\frac{v_{1}}{v_{1}}\right)
$$

Since the volume does not vary, we have:

$$
\Delta S = cR \ln\left(\frac{T_{2}}{T_{1}}\right)
$$

The change in entropy for a Van der Waals gas is:

$$
\Delta S = R \ln\left(\frac{v_{1} - b}{v_{0} - b}\right) + cR \ln\left(\frac{T_{1}}{T_{0}}\right)
$$

Applying it to the problem, we have:

$$
\Delta S = R \ln\left(\frac{v_{2} - b}{v_{2} - b}\right) + cR \ln\left(\frac{T_{1}}{T_{2}}\right)
$$

$$
\Delta S = cR \ln\left(\frac{T_{1}}{T_{2}}\right)
$$


But if I sum the entropies, it only results in zero, and I can't analyze the constraints.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Suppose you first put the ideal gas container in contact with a continuous sequence of constant temperature reservoirs running from T1 to T2, and then you put the VDW gas container in contact with this same continuous sequence of constant temperature reservoirs sequenced in reverse from T2 to T1.

The trick to this problem is devising the reversible process described above.
 
Last edited:
Thread 'Help with Time-Independent Perturbation Theory "Good" States Proof'
(Disclaimer: this is not a HW question. I am self-studying, and this felt like the type of question I've seen in this forum. If there is somewhere better for me to share this doubt, please let me know and I'll transfer it right away.) I am currently reviewing Chapter 7 of Introduction to QM by Griffiths. I have been stuck for an hour or so trying to understand the last paragraph of this proof (pls check the attached file). It claims that we can express Ψ_{γ}(0) as a linear combination of...
Thread 'Stacked blocks & pulley system'
I've posted my attempt at a solution but I haven't gone through the whole process of putting together equations 1 -4 yet as I wanted to clarify if I'm on the right path My doubt lies in the formulation of equation 4 - the force equation for the stacked block. Since we don't know the acceleration of the masses and we don't know if mass M is heavy enough to cause m2 to slide, do we leave F_{12x} undetermined and not equate this to \mu_{s} F_{N} ? Are all the equations considering all...
Back
Top