Understanding the Work Required to Compress Water Vapor at 200 atm

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the work required to compress water vapor to 99% of its volume at 200 atm pressure. Participants emphasize the importance of understanding whether the compression process is isothermal or adiabatic, as this significantly affects the work calculation. The need for a quasistatic approach, starting from atmospheric pressure to 200 atm, is highlighted to clarify the assumptions necessary for accurate computation. The ambiguity in the exercise's wording regarding the compression method is a central point of contention.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamic processes, specifically isothermal and adiabatic compression.
  • Familiarity with PV diagrams and their interpretation in thermodynamics.
  • Knowledge of the ideal gas law and its application to water vapor.
  • Basic calculus for calculating work done during compression.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the differences between isothermal and adiabatic processes in thermodynamics.
  • Learn how to sketch and interpret PV diagrams for various thermodynamic processes.
  • Study the ideal gas law and its implications for real gases like water vapor.
  • Explore the mathematical derivation of work done during compression in both isothermal and adiabatic scenarios.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in thermodynamics, mechanical engineers, and anyone involved in fluid dynamics or energy systems who need to understand the principles of gas compression and work calculations.

aaaa202
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Okay my exercise says the following:

"By applying a pressure of 200 atm, you can compress water to 99% of its usual volume. Find the work needed to do this."

Now I'm having a bit of trouble with how this is put. For me it doesn't make sense to just put 200atm pressure on normal pressured water vapour. Don't they mean between the lines, that the water has been slowly pressured quasistatically from normal pressure to 200atm pressure?
 
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we need to know whether this is done isothermally or adiabatically
 
The exact text is: "By applying a pressure of 200atm you can compress water to 99% of its usual volume. Sketch this proces (not neccesarily to scale) on a PV diagram, and estimate the work required to compress a liter of water by this amount. Does the result surprise you?"

Now I just want to know if you are to assume that the water is compressed slowly beginning from atmospheric pressure until 200 atm? It doesn't really make sense to just apply 200atm, or am I reading it wrong? Now you are also right that information lacks about it being adiabatic or isothermal..
 

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