Work and Heat in Gas Cycle (formatted: may load slowly)

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around the thermodynamic analysis of a cycle involving one mole of an ideal diatomic gas with a specific heat ratio (γ) of 1.40. The cycle consists of three paths: an isochoric process, an adiabatic expansion, and an isobaric compression. Key calculations include the original volume (0.0241 m³), pressure at the end of path (1) (142149 Pa), and temperature at the end of path (2) (382 K). The participant encountered difficulties in calculating work done and heat transfer during the cycle, particularly in paths (2) and (3), leading to confusion over the correct application of thermodynamic equations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ideal gas laws and equations of state
  • Familiarity with thermodynamic processes: isochoric, adiabatic, and isobaric
  • Knowledge of specific heat capacities (Cv and Cp) for diatomic gases
  • Ability to apply the first law of thermodynamics in cyclic processes
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation and application of the first law of thermodynamics in cyclic processes
  • Study the calculation of work done in adiabatic processes for ideal gases
  • Learn the differences in heat transfer calculations for isochoric and isobaric processes
  • Investigate the efficiency calculations for thermodynamic cycles and the Carnot efficiency
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in thermodynamics, mechanical engineers, and anyone involved in the study of heat engines and gas cycles will benefit from this discussion.

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Problem:
One (1.00) mole of an ideal diatomic gas (with = 1.40) initially at 20.6°C and 1.00 atm pressure is taken around the following cycle:
Path (1): an isochoric increase in pressure until the temperature of the gas is 159°C and the pressure is P;
Path (2): an adiabatic expansion until the pressure returns to 1.00 atm;
Path (3): an isobaric compression until the gas reaches its original volume.
[[FIGURE ATTACHED]]


(a) What is the original volume of the gas at the beginning and end of the cycle?

(b) What is the pressure of the gas at the completion of path (1)?

(c) What is the volume of the gas at the completion of path (2)?

(d) What is the temperature of the gas at the completion of path (2)?

(e) Calculate the work done by the gas during each path of the cycle and the total work done by the gas.
1. (along path (1))
2. (along path (2))
3. (along path (3))
4. (total work)
(f) Calculate the heat transfer to the gas during each path of the cycle and the total heat transfer to the gas over the cycle.
1. (along path (1))
2. (along path (2))
3. (along path (3))
4. (total heat transfer)
(g) Find the efficiency of the cycle.

(h) Calculate the maximum efficiency that a heat engine could have if it operated between the hottest and coldest temperatures encountered by this gas in this cycle.


Attempt at a Solution:
**Let the point at the beginning of Path 1=a, end of path 1=b, end of path 2=c

a)V_{a}=\frac{nRT}{P} (where P=P_{a} and T=T_{a}) --->This gives the correct answer .0241 m^3

b)P_{b}=\frac{nRT}{V} --> V_{b}=V_{a}; this gives the correct answer 142149 Pa

c) P_{c}V^{\gamma}_{c}=P_{b}V^{\gamma}_{b} ----->this gives the correct answer .0307 m^3

d) T_{c}=\frac{P_{c}V_{c}}{nR} ----->this gives the correct answer 382 K.

...NOW, to where I'm having trouble.

e) 1. W=0 because \intPdV = W_{AB} ---->dv=0 this gives the correct answer

e2. W_{BC} = -\DeltaU +Q, adiabatic process--> Q=0, so W_{BC}=-\DeltaU
=-nC_{v}\DeltaT
=-1.00(20.8)(432K-382K) = -1040 but apparently this is wrong. I tried the positive value just to be safe, but that was incorrect as well.

e3. W_{CA}=\intPdV ---> pressure is constant, so

W_{CA}=P\DeltaV = (1.013 x 10^{5} Pa)(.0307-.0241) = 669, but I also tried the negative and both were incorrect.

e4. Just the sum of all e1+e2+e3, I assume

f) 1. Q=nC_{v}\DeltaT ---> this gives correct answer2879 J

f2. Q=0, adiabatic process-->correct answer

f3. Q= nC_{p}\DeltaT ---->this gives correct answer -2572 J

f4. First, I tried adding them all up, which was wrong, so I tried the negative, which was wrong and then realized it should be the opposite value of each number, which gave the wrong answer so I tried the negative of that, which was also wrong...

I got g (and I'm getting tired of using this formatting :smile:) but if you want me to show how I did it just to see my thought process, I will. I'm assuming h shouldn't be hard either, once I have the correct values for everything.


THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE!
 

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I confirm your results for e2. The answer key must be wrong.
 

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