Two systems merging, what is final temp?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mateomy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Final Systems
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the final temperature after merging two helium gas systems with different initial temperatures and pressures. The first tank has a volume of 0.1 m³ at 5x10⁶ Pa and 300 K, while the second tank has a volume of 0.15 m³ at 6x10⁶ Pa and 350 K. The user applied the equation U = cNRT to determine the internal energies, resulting in 3741 J and 4365 J, leading to a calculated final temperature of 324.9 K. The discrepancy with the book's answer of 330 K suggests a potential misprint or oversight in the user's calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the ideal gas law (PV = nRT)
  • Familiarity with thermodynamic principles, specifically adiabatic processes
  • Knowledge of internal energy calculations using U = cNRT
  • Basic algebra for manipulating equations and solving for variables
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the principles of adiabatic processes in thermodynamics
  • Learn about the ideal gas law and its applications in real-world scenarios
  • Explore the concept of internal energy and its calculation for different gases
  • Investigate common sources of error in thermodynamic calculations and how to avoid them
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for students and professionals in thermodynamics, particularly those studying gas laws and energy calculations in physics or engineering contexts.

mateomy
Messages
305
Reaction score
0
Hi all,

I just want to see if my work is correct because it's not matching the answer in the book:


A tank has a volume of 0.1 m^3 and is filled with He gas at a pressure of 5x10^6 Pa. A second tank has a volume of 0.15 m^3 and is filled with He gas at a pressure of 6x10^6 Pa. A valve connecting the two tanks is opened...

(My problem references this question and asks...)

If the temperatures within the two tanks before opening the valve, had been T = 300K and 350 K respectively, what would the final temperature be?


So what I did was utilize this equation:
<br /> U = cNRT<br />
to find the energies of each. Based off of the 'adiabatic and rigid' statement given I know no energy is lost to heat flow or work on the walls.

I get energies for the respective systems of 3741 J and 4365 J. Adding those together I get 8106.
Now I just plug that number back into the former equation (this time manipulated):
<br /> T = \frac{U}{cNR}<br />

And I'm getting a temp of 324.9 K. The book says 330 K. Need some help, am I wrong or is this a misprint?

Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Using PV = nRT and assuming PV is proportional to the energy content I find that the book's value is reasonable...
 

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
12
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
15
Views
11K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
3K