What Are the Solutions to These Thermodynamics Problems?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around thermodynamics problems, specifically dealing with work done by gases, radiation from solid spheres, and the coefficient of performance in refrigeration systems. Participants are exploring concepts related to ideal gases, energy transfer, and heat exchange in thermodynamic processes.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of work done by a gas using the area under a pressure-volume curve, with one participant expressing confusion over their result compared to the expected answer.
  • In the radiation problem, there is uncertainty about how to calculate the surface area and the implications for energy radiated by the hemispheres compared to the intact sphere.
  • For the coefficient of performance problem, participants are questioning the reasoning behind adding heat absorbed and work done to find the heat rejected, with discussions on the definitions of Qc and Qh.

Discussion Status

Some participants are providing guidance on the correct approach to the problems, particularly regarding the sign convention in thermodynamics and the definitions of heat absorbed and rejected. There is ongoing exploration of the concepts, with no clear consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework assignments, which may limit the information available for solving the problems. There is also a noted lack of clarity on certain definitions and conventions in thermodynamics that are critical to understanding the problems.

clairez93
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PROBLEM 1 (work done by gas)

Homework Statement



1. An ideal monatomic gas originally in state A is taken reversibly to state B along the straight-line path shown in the pressure-volume graph. What ist he work done by the gas?
A) +12 cal
B) +122 cal
C) 0 cal
D) -110 cal
E) +110 cal


Homework Equations



4.186 calories per J

The Attempt at a Solution



I thought the area under the curve would be the work done by the gas, so I split it into a triangle and a rectangle and did this:

\frac{1}{2}(1)(101.3*10^{3})(2)(10^{-3}) = 101.3 (the area of the triangle)
2(101.3*10^{3})(2)(10^{-3}) = 405.2 (the area of the rectangle)

I added them up to get 506.5. I then divided by 4.186 to get 120.99, which I supposed was closest to 122.

The answer, however, is +110 cal.

PROBLEM 2 (RADIATION)

Homework Statement



2. Two identical solid spheres have the same temperature. One of the spheres is cut into two identical pieces. These two hemispheres are then separated. The intact sphere radiates an energy Q during a given time interval. During the same interval, the two hemispheres radiate a total energy of Q'. What is the ratio Q'/Q?
A) 1.5
B) 4.0
C) 0.50
D) 0.25
E) 2.9

Homework Equations



H = Aert^{4}

The Attempt at a Solution



Not a clue how to start this one, as I don't have any values for r or t or A. My guess is those don't matter since H is directly proportional to A, so then I would have to find the surface area, however, I'm not sure how to compute the total surface area for Q' then.

The answer is 1.5, however.

PROBLEM 3 (coefficient of performance)

Homework Statement



3. If the coefficient of performance for a refrigerator is 5.0 and 65 J of work are done on the system, how much heat is rejected to the room?
A) 210 J
B) 260 J
C) 130 J
D) 330 J
E) 390 J


Homework Equations



COP = \frac{Q_{h}}{W}
Q_{h} - Q_{c} = W

The Attempt at a Solution



COP = \frac{Q_{h}}{W}
COP = \frac{Q_{h}}{65} = 5
Q_{h} = 325
Q_{h} - Q_{c} = W
325 - Q_{c} = 65
Q_{c} = 260

The answer, however, is 390, so I guess I am supposed to add 325 and 65, though I am not sure why.
 

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Oh, I don't expect help for all of them at once; anyone of them at a time is fine.
 


Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
 


Just trying to keep this thread up where it is visible to people who may possibly help. :] Thanks!
 


For number 3 you add them ( as you stated). You've got to remember sign convention for heat and work.
 


Sorry, I don't understand? Why would I add them? I can see that adding it would produce the right answer, but I don't know why.
 


What are Qc and Qh?

Also using the COP is what you wat/what you pay for.

Think about that it is that you want from a refrigirator. Is the useful heat transfer the heat rejected or the heat taken from the space to be refrigirated. (hopwfully this shoudl help)
 
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Qc is heat expelled, Qh is heat absorbed.
I don't understand, the useful heat would be heat absorbed, so that's Qh, and you're solving for heat rejected, which is Qc, right?
 
Ahhh that's where you are gong wrong. Qc is the heat absorbed from the space to be refrigirated and Qh is the rejected heat into the room, in the case of heat pump and refrigirator. A heat pump is a refrigiration cycle in reverse (kind of).

In the case of the heat pump Qh is the useful heat transfer (to be put in COP equation)
In the case of a refrigirator Qc is the useful heat transfer.

So it would be Qc=COP*W = 325

This goes into the second equation to find the heat rejected at higher temperature (Qh)

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii3/cdcracing/?action=view&current=refrigcycle.jpg
 

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