Thermodynamics - Two gases in a container

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a thermodynamics problem involving two gases—air and carbon monoxide—confined in a rigid, insulated container. The gases are initially at different pressures and temperatures, and the goal is to determine the equilibrium temperature after the partition between them moves. The correct approach involves using the first law of thermodynamics and the ideal gas law, with specific heat capacities calculated as Cv = 0.75 for CO and Cv = 0.73 for air. The final equilibrium temperature is calculated to be approximately 544.8 K, although the initial calculations contained errors regarding the mass of CO and the application of the energy balance equation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the first law of thermodynamics
  • Knowledge of ideal gas behavior and equations
  • Familiarity with specific heat capacities (Cp and Cv)
  • Ability to perform unit conversions (e.g., bars to Pascals)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the first law of thermodynamics in closed systems
  • Learn about the ideal gas law and its implications for pressure, volume, and temperature
  • Explore the concepts of specific heat capacities and their role in thermodynamic calculations
  • Investigate the effects of changing volumes on gas pressure during thermodynamic processes
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and physics who are studying thermodynamics, particularly those focusing on gas behavior in insulated systems.

Charlie Anderson
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Homework Statement


Two kilograms of air at 5 bar, 350 K, and 5 kg of carbon monoxide, initially at 4 bar, 450 K, are confined to opposite sides of a rigid, well-insulated container by a partition. The partition is free to move and allows conduction from one gas to the other without energy storage in the partition itself. The air and carbon monoxide each behave as ideal gases with constant specific heat ratio, k = 1.395. Determine the equilibrium temperature.

Homework Equations


Q - W = delta U

Cp - Cv = R

Cp/Cv = k

Rair = 8.314 / Mwtair

Rco = 8.314 / Mwtco

Q = mCv(T2-T1)

The Attempt at a Solution



Carbon Monoxide
Cp - Cv = 0.297
Cp / Cv = k

Cv(k) - Cv = 0.297

1.395Cv - Cv = 0.297
0.395Cv = 0.297
Cv = 0.75

Air
Cp - Cv = 0.287
Cp / Cv = k

1.395Cv - Cv = 0.287
Cv = 0.73

This is where i feel i am going wrong.

Q = mCv(T2-T1)
Q = 0 as insulated closed system


Carbon Monoxide Air
0 = 4 x 0.75 (T2 - 450) 0 = 2 x 0.73 (T2 - 350)
0 = 3T2 - 1350 0 = 1.46T2 - 511

I made the two equations equal each other (not sure if that is correct)

1.46T2 - 511 = 3T2 - 1350
839 = 1.54T2
T2 = 544.8 K

I know this is the wrong answer but I am not sure why.

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There are 5 kg of CO, not 4. Also, since the change in internal energy is zero, $${5}(0.75)(T_2-450)+{2}(0.73)(T_2-350)=0$$
 
Chestermiller said:
There are 5 kg of CO, not 4. Also, since the change in internal energy is zero, $${5}(0.75)(T_2-450)+{2}(0.73)(T_2-350)=0$$
Ah I see! Thank you for your help.
 
How would you also work out the volume and pressure at equilibrium ?
 
Pol said:
How would you also work out the volume and pressure at equilibrium ?
Does the total volume change? What is the initial volume of each gas? Let V1 represent the final volume of air and V2 represent the final volume of CO. In terms of V1 and V2, what is the final pressure of each gas? At equilibrium, how do these pressures compare?
 
The total volume does change , but I don't know what equation to use to work out the pressure ?
 
Pol said:
The total volume does change , but I don't know what equation to use to work out the pressure ?
Actually, the total volume doesn't change. The only thing that happens is that the partition moves, so one chamber gets larger and the other gets smaller. To get the final pressure, I need you to answer the other questions that I asked.

Chet
 
I'm not really sure , I don't know the initial volume of each gas
 
Pol said:
I'm not really sure , I don't know the initial volume of each gas
Use the ideal gas law. You have the mass (i.e., the number of moles), the temperature, and the pressure of each gas.
 
  • #10
R the gas constant is 8.214 which I use aswell?
 
  • #11
Pol said:
R the gas constant is 8.214 which I use aswell?
If you use that (and the value is 8.314), you need to convert bars to Pa. You are aware of having to use consistent units, correct?
 
  • #12
why did we use cv?, spesific volume of the gases were changing as piston moves.
 
  • #13
fatih said:
why did we use cv?, spesific volume of the gases were changing as piston moves.
What is your definition of Cv? What is the effect of specific volume on the internal energy per unit mass of an ideal gas?
 
  • #14
amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of mass by 1 kelvin if the substance is at "Constant Volume". But volume isn't constant
 
  • #15
fatih said:
amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of mass by 1 kelvin if the substance is at "Constant Volume". But volume isn't constant
In thermodynamics, that's an incorrect definition. In thermodynamics, it is the change in internal energy at constant volume of one kg of material resulting from a change in temperature of 1 kelvin. For an ideal gas, what is the effect of volume on internal energy?
 

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