Why does an ideal gas satisfy ##(\partial U/\partial P)_T=0##?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The ideal gas satisfies the equation \((\partial U/\partial P)_T = 0\) due to the nature of its internal energy, which is defined as \(U = \frac{3}{2}RnT\) for a monoatomic gas. This relationship indicates that when pressure \(P\) is varied at constant temperature \(T\), the internal energy \(U\) remains unchanged because the particles do not interact significantly, making the interaction energy negligible. The justification for this equation stems from the fundamental properties of ideal gases rather than solely from kinetic theory.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the ideal gas law \(PV = nRT\)
  • Knowledge of internal energy for monoatomic gases
  • Familiarity with thermodynamic partial derivatives
  • Basic concepts of kinetic theory of gases
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the ideal gas law and its implications
  • Explore the relationship between internal energy and temperature for different gas types
  • Investigate kinetic theory and its application to real gases
  • Examine the concept of interaction energy in thermodynamics
USEFUL FOR

Students of thermodynamics, physicists, and chemists interested in the properties of gases and the foundational principles of thermodynamics.

zenterix
Messages
774
Reaction score
84
TL;DR
Why does an ideal gas satisfy ##\left (\frac{\partial U}{\partial P}\right )_T = 0##?
The book I am reading says that by definition, the ideal gas satisfies the equations

$$PV=nRT\tag{1}$$

$$\left (\frac{\partial U}{\partial P}\right )_T = 0\tag{2}$$

where does (2) come from? In other words, what justifies this equation in the definition above?
 
Science news on Phys.org
The internal energy of an ideal (monoatomic) gas is ##3RnT/2##. Differentiating with respect to ##P## with ##T## constant is clearly zero.
 
Orodruin said:
The internal energy of an ideal (monoatomic) gas is ##3RnT/2##. Differentiating with respect to ##P## with ##T## constant is clearly zero.
The thing is, I believe that equation comes from the kinetic theory of the ideal gas right.

The chapter of the book that I am on is a few chapters before talking about that theory. The only reason I know about that equation is from looking ahead.

I am wondering about some other justification not based on that theory.
 
Ideal gas is made of particles which do not interact with each other, or more realistically, of particles for which the interaction energy is negligible. By compressing ideal gas while keeping temperature constant you increase the pressure ##P##, but since the interaction energy is negligible, ##U## does not change. This answers the OP's question.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: chimay, weirdoguy, Philip Koeck and 1 other person

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K