Thermodynamics - This time it really is adiabatic

In summary, the problem involves compressing 14 grams of Nitrogen at 20 degrees Celsius and 1 atmosphere of pressure to a final pressure of 20 atmospheres in an adiabatic process. The final temperature and work done on the gas are requested, as well as the compression ratio and heat transfer. Using the equations PV = NkT, PinitialVinitial\gamma = PfinalVfinal\gamma, and VinitialTinitial3/2 = VfinalTfinal3/2, the initial and final volumes are calculated to be approximately 4 * 10-26 m3 and 6.6 * 10-27 m3, respectively. The change in heat is found to be zero due to
  • #1
spherical23
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Homework Statement



14 grams of Nitrogen at 20 degrees Celsius in 1 atmosphere of pressure is compressed to a pressure of 20 atmospheres. What is its final temperature and what is the work done on the gas if the process is adiabatic? Obtain the compression ratio (i.e. Vmax/Vmin). How much heat comes in or leaves the gas? What is the ratio of Pmax/Pmin? Show this change on a P-V graph.

Homework Equations



PV = NkT

PinitialVinitial[tex]\gamma[/tex] = PfinalVfinal[tex]\gamma[/tex]

VinitialTinitial[tex]3/2[/tex] = VfinalTfinal[tex]3/2[/tex]

W = -[((PinitialVinitial[tex]\gamma[/tex])/(1-[tex]\gamma[/tex]))(Vfinal(1-[tex]\gamma[/tex]) - Vinitial(1-[tex]\gamma[/tex]))

The Attempt at a Solution



14 grams of Nitrogen = 1 atom

Tinitial = 20 degrees Celsius = 293 Kelvin

Tfinal = ?

Pinitial = 1 atm = 1.013 * 105 Pa (1 Pa = 1 N/m2)

~

PinitialVinitial = NkTinitial

(1.013 * 105 N/m2)Vinitial = 1(1.381 * 10-23 Nm/K)(293K)

Vinitial [tex]\approx[/tex] 4 * 10-26

~

PinitialVinitial[tex]\gamma[/tex] = PfinalVfinal[tex]\gamma[/tex]

(1.013 * 105 N/m2)(4 * 10-26) = (20 atm)(1.013 * 105 N/m2)Vfinal[tex]\gamma[/tex]

Vfinal = (4 * 10-26 m3) [tex]\sqrt[5]{[1.013 * 105 N/m2) / ((20 atm)(1.013 * 105 N/m2))]3}[/tex]

where [tex]\gamma[/tex] = 5/3

Vfinal [tex]\approx[/tex] 6.6 * 10-29 m3

Okay... I'm not done yet, but I am going to submit this to check out how my latex reference skills are working out. This is tedious.
 
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  • #2
Oh holy crap, it is a disaster... well, the important parts can be made out. it would be nice to have a little chalk board we could draw on. Maybe I'll continue the problem after a while.. that is enough for now. Hopefully I will get better and faster at inputting this stuff.
 
  • #3
I thought of a comment... under the fifth-root-radical it is suppose to be (# of Pascals in an atmosphere)/(20 atmospheres)(# of Pascals in an atmosphere) all cubed... because it is Pinitial / Pfinal. I did it with the Pascals because that helps me to work with my units. I think it should be the same outcome if I just use atmospheres because it seems like the # of Pascals in an atmosphere would cancel out anyway. Maybe I am putting in the calculator wrong, but I get different values when I do it with Pascals or atmospheres. It is a difference of like two orders of magnitude. That is turning out the be the most troublesome part of this problem for me. If anyone could figure out what Vfinal should be, that would be nice. :smile:
 
  • #4
I went with 6.6*10-27 instead of 10-29 because the latter made way to much of a temperature increase. Other than that, I think I can move on from this point. I ended up getting that the change in heat coming in or leaving the system was zero. Does that make sense? I mean, it is adiabatic, so the change in heat has to be zero during the process, but there is adiabatic cooling. Should I worry about that here?
 

1. What is the definition of adiabatic in thermodynamics?

Adiabatic refers to a process in thermodynamics where there is no exchange of heat between the system and its surroundings.

2. How is adiabatic different from isothermal in thermodynamics?

In adiabatic processes, there is no heat transfer, while in isothermal processes, the temperature remains constant.

3. What is the first law of thermodynamics in relation to adiabatic processes?

The first law of thermodynamics states that the change in internal energy of a system is equal to the heat added to the system minus the work done by it, in an adiabatic process this means that the change in internal energy is equal to the work done.

4. How does adiabatic expansion affect the temperature of a gas?

In adiabatic expansion, the gas does work on its surroundings, causing a decrease in its internal energy and a decrease in temperature.

5. Can adiabatic processes occur in real-life systems?

Yes, adiabatic processes can occur in real-life systems, such as in the compression and expansion of gases in car engines or in the formation of thunderstorms in the atmosphere.

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