Why is the Internal Energy of a Gas nCvdT?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the expression for the internal energy of a gas, specifically why it is represented as nCvdT. Participants explore the derivation and implications of this relationship within the context of thermodynamics, particularly focusing on the concepts of heat capacity at constant volume and the first law of thermodynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants define Cv as the molar heat capacity at constant volume, explaining that it represents the heat energy required to raise the temperature of one mole of gas by one degree while keeping the volume constant.
  • Others discuss the first law of thermodynamics, stating that in an isovolumetric process, the change in internal energy dU equals the heat added δQ, leading to the expression U = nCvdT.
  • Several participants note that when heat is supplied at constant pressure, additional work is done, resulting in Cp being greater than Cv, with the relationship Cp - Cv = R being mentioned.
  • A participant raises a question about the validity of the nCvdT expression when the process is not isobaric, indicating uncertainty about its applicability in different scenarios.
  • One participant provides a more general form of the internal energy change, incorporating temperature and volume, and suggests that the derivation can be linked to the ideal gas law.
  • Another participant emphasizes that at constant volume, all heat energy contributes to a temperature change, while at constant pressure, some energy is used for external work.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the derivation and implications of the internal energy equation. There is no consensus on the applicability of the nCvdT expression in non-isovolumetric processes, and some participants seek clarification on the relationship between Cv and Cp.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions highlight the dependence of the results on the assumption of ideal gas behavior and the constancy of heat capacities. There are unresolved questions regarding the derivation of the internal energy expression in different thermodynamic processes.

vkash
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Internal of a gas is nCvdT. why it is nCvdT.do you know any simple proof or derivation for this.
 
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The heat capacity at constant volume is defined as the rate at which the heat changes with respect to temperature per mole. So for an infinitesimal change we can write.
##C_{v}=\frac{dQ}{dT} ##

In an isovolumetric process no work is done so dU=δQ as per the 1st law of Thermodynamics
so we can write the equation as

##U=nC_{v}dT =n \frac{dQ}{dT}_{v}dT =n \frac{dU}{dT}_{v}dT ##
 
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Cv is the molar heat capacity of a gas at constant volume and is defined as 'The heat energy required to warm 1 mole of a gas through one degree when its volume is kept constant'
Gases have 2 principal heat capacities. If the gas is kept at constant pressure then Cp is the molar heat capacity for gas at constant pressure.
When heat is supplied to a gas at constant volume no external work is done therefore all of the heat energy shows as a temperature change.
When heat is supplied to a gas at constant pressure some external work is done [P(V2 - V1)]
So for a temperature rise of 1 degree extra heat energy is required to provide the external work. This essentially means that Cp is greater than Cv and it can be shown that
Cp - Cv = R (the gas constant)
 
Vagn said:
The heat capacity at constant volume is defined as the rate at which the heat changes with respect to temperature per mole. So for an infinitesimal change we can write.
##C_{v}=\frac{dQ}{dT} ##

In an isovolumetric process no work is done so dU=δQ as per the 1st law of Thermodynamics
so we can write the equation as

##U=nC_{v}dT =n \frac{dQ}{dT}_{v}dT =n \frac{dU}{dT}_{v}dT ##
great, but there is dent in this, that is if process is not isobaric(isovolumetric) then?
technician said:
Cv is the molar heat capacity of a gas at constant volume and is defined as 'The heat energy required to warm 1 mole of a gas through one degree when its volume is kept constant'
Gases have 2 principal heat capacities. If the gas is kept at constant pressure then Cp is the molar heat capacity for gas at constant pressure.
When heat is supplied to a gas at constant volume no external work is done therefore all of the heat energy shows as a temperature change.
When heat is supplied to a gas at constant pressure some external work is done [P(V2 - V1)]
So for a temperature rise of 1 degree extra heat energy is required to provide the external work. This essentially means that Cp is greater than Cv and it can be shown that
Cp - Cv = R (the gas constant)
friend you seem to tell me that Cp-Cv=R. that is not what am i asking.

after all thanks to both guys,

I think i a just a beginner in thermodynamics. so proof of all these formula are out of my scope, I hope i will learn this formula in future.
 
1st thermodynamic law:

δQ= dU + δW.
Supposing we have the general form of U=U(T,V)
then its differential:
dU=\frac{\partial U(T,V)}{\partial T} dT + \frac{\partial U(T,V)}{\partial V} dV

and the work is δW=pdV

we go to the 1st law and replace δW and dU by the quantities we have above. We get:

δQ=\frac{\partial U(T,V)}{\partial T} dT + [\frac{\partial U(T,V)}{\partial V} + p ] dV

in case of dV=0 (V:const) you get
\frac{\partial U(T,V)}{\partial T} =δQ/dT \equiv Cv

From that you totally see that:

U= n Cv dT (for n moles now)

of course that is for Cv constant, which of course is true for ideal gases.
 
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Your original question was :
'Internal of a gas is nCvdT. why it is nCvdT.do you know any simple proof or derivation for this.'
The answer is :At constant volume no external work is done by (or on) the gas. Therefore the heat supplied = increase in internal energy.
To calculate the effect of heat supplied you nedd an 'SHC' equation
In general Heat energy = mass x SHC x temp change.
For a gas H = n x Cv x ΔT (n = number of moles rather than mass and C = molar heat capacity rather than specific heat capacity... specific means 'per kg')

If you need to know the equation for when the pressure is kept constant you need a different C... Cp. If you need something in between then you need something other than the principal Cv and Cp
 
The general equation for dU in terms of temperature and volume is:
dU=n C_V dT + n \left[ T \left({\partial P \over \partial T}\right)_V - P \right] dV
(See wikipedia)
This result can be derived from the general formula dU=TdS-PdV, which is in terms of entropy and volume.
I'll leave the proof for that out (for now).If you substitute the ideal gas law P={nRT \over V}, the requested result follows.
 
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In words:
Heat energy supplied = heat energy to raise temperature + heat energy converted to external work.(basically P x ΔV)
If there is no external work (constant vol) then
Heat energy = heat energy to raise temp
 

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