General Physics I (PHYS1414)

Supplementary Examples with Selected Answers

Example (September 2, 2010) A block of mass m slides down on the frictionless inclined surface of a wedge which is fixed on a scale. If the mass of the wedge is also m, find the weight of the system recorded by the scale.

m Fixed wedge m

Slides down

Frictionless surface

Scale

A. C. E.

mg + mg cos mg + mg cos2 2 mg

B. D.

mg + mg cos sin mg + mg sin2

Answer: N sin

N g sin mg N R f N N cos Frictionless surface

mg The block slides down along the inclined

Fixed wedge

Answer: Since the wedge is fixed on the scale, the block slides down the wedge with an acceleration g sin . On the other hand, we notice that there is no acceleration in the direction perpendicular to the inclined plane, hence the normal reaction, N given by the wedge to the block is mg cos . The same force acts on the wedge by the block. As the scale measures the reaction force R which is given by mg + N cos, that is R mg mg cos 2 .

t,

tldhod L.
Qtes

eyvl ftru(
v'ws

ILre

(o(L

is

.fi1t-f

4
I

e-

{rA

4v
Ma

e-L

*f
&r

th'l

{L

(i^Q.

l-' 3h 4 2lrL ? ,X I
a

??

(^=

e
)

? [v -7

_2.1 v

(i--

{+
dT -{,+

-v'
-{)

tIv v
---

l-i2

asJ

tso

t#

2.

e)

tv vF;t
,-'= l!'
{'rt
--

yrl + vci(f

ru,ft

+h"t
[r*.

i
I

Wo

L:,

i*f qnr(

ot'f

t wr,r ))
+

v*^f

vtf)
+

."r'/
t

d3

u'- +'xr"

/tt't
-(t 0." v'fai

a.'=

f
.

(t*

q r-_fi

l, lrt'f)

h-o?e

le;S

0=

i=
t

LJ,tf t tu' f)L L*f I - v t-f

V si-{

(t'#=

-r)

i T

I.-wst v tn^'4

Example (Challenging, September 2, 2010) A wedge with mass M rests on a frictionless horizontal tabletop. A block with mass m is placed on the wedge. There is no friction between the block and the wedge. The system is released from rest. Calculate 1) the acceleration of the wedge, 2) the horizontal and vertical components of the acceleration of the block, check the limit when M .

Answer: Before doing this problem, we look at two remarks first. If M is not moving then we have the trajectory sketched in the right.

Trajectory

If M is moving to the left, then the actual trajectory is sketched as below, where aM is the acceleration of the block relative to the wedge of mass M.

a1 a

aM

Actual trajectory
Now, we look at the force diagram of the wedge and the block. For M: For m:
N 2 sin Ma1

(1) (2) (3)

mg N 2 cos ma M sin N 2 sin m(a M cos a1 )

N1

N2 a

a1

N2

mg

Mg
This is a set of simultaneous equations with 3 unknowns. After solving, we obtain mg sin cos a1 M m sin 2 a ( M m) g sin M M m sin 2 a x a M cos a1 and a y a M sin ,

(*)

Since the horizontal and vertical components of a are given by

Mg sin cos ax M m sin 2 hence we have 2 a ( M m) g sin y M m sin 2

The reaction between the wedge and the block is given by the expression of a1 and equation (1), i.e.

N2

mMg cos . M m sin 2

Consider the equation set (*), when M is very large, e.g. M , we have

a1 0 and a M g sin .

Example (September 9, 2010)

A man traveling East at 8 km h1 finds that the wind seems to blow directly from the North. On doubling his speed he finds that it appears to come NE. Find the velocity of the wind.

Answer:

Let the velocity of the wind be y w xi j. Then the velocity of the wind relative to the man is ( x 8) i y w 8i j
w

8i Parallel to j

j . Hence, we obtain x 8 = 0. But this is from the North, and is therefore parallel to When the man doubles his speed, the velocity of the wind relative to him is ( x 16) i y w 16 i j. But this is from the NE and is therefore parallel to ( i j ) . Hence y = x 16 = 8. 8 The velocity of the wind is 8 i j , which is equivalent to 8 2 km h1 from NW.
w

16 i

Parallel to (i j)

Example

A swimmer wishes to across a swift, straight river of width d. The speed of the swimmer in still water is u and that of the water is v, where v > u. If the swimmer wants to cross the swift with a minimum time, find the minimum time and the position that he reaches in the opposite bank.

Answer:
A

d
j
C

u
O

u v

The minimum time of travel can be obtained if the swimmer directs in the direction of j . The magnitude of u is contributed completely in the direction of crossing the swift. It is

the fastest way. Hence the minimum time t = d/u. The distance downstream s = vt = (vd)/u.

Example (Challenging)

As an extension of the last example, keeping all information above, what is the direction along which the swimmer should proceed such that the downstream distance he has traveled when he reaches the opposite bank is the smallest possible? What is the corresponding time required?

Answer:
A

j
C

u v

The downstream distance is smallest when OB is tangent to the circle, centered Q, radius u.
u d 1 ( )2 d cos u d v2 u2 v sin , and AB d cot . u v u sin v

The time taken is t

d u cos

d u u 1 ( )2 v

dv u v2 u 2

Example (October 5, 2010) A gun of mass M fires a shell of mass m and recoils horizontally. If the shell travels with speed v relative to the barrel, find the speed with which the barrel begins to recoil if (a) (b) the barrel is horizontal, the barrel is inclined at an angle to the horizontal.

Answer: (a) V M m v

Let the barrel be recoiling with speed V. The speed of the shell as it leaves the barrel is v V. Before firing the shell, the gun is at rest and the total momentum is zero. By the conservation of momentum, m (v V) MV = 0. Hence V = mv / (M + m). When the gun is inclined at angle . The shell leaves the barrel with a velocity which is the resultant of two components, v and V. By the conservation of momentum in the direction of recoil, m (v cos V) MV = 0. Hence V = mv cos / (M + m). V M m v

(b)

Example (Challenging) A particle of mass m slides down the smooth inclined face of a wedge of mass 2m, and inclination , which is free to move in a smooth horizontal table. Use equations of momentum and energy to obtain an expression for the velocity of the particle relative to the wedge when the particle has moved a relative distance s from rest down the inclined face of the wedge.

2m

Answer: Let the velocity of the wedge be V and that of the particle relative to the wedge be u. By conservation of horizontal momentum, since there is no horizontal force acting on the system, 2mV m (u cos V) = 0.

1 V u cos . 3

By conservation of energy, mgs sin 1 1 (2m)V 2 m (u cos V ) 2 (u sin ) 2 2 2

m V

1 2 1 gs sin u 2 cos 2 u 2 cos 2 u 2 sin 2 , 9 9 2 6 gs sin 2 u . 2 2 sin

1

2m

Example

Three particles A, B and C, of masses 4, 6 and 8 kg, respectively, lie at rest on a smooth horizontal table. They are connected by taut light inextensible strings AB and BC and ABC 120 o . An impulse I is applied to C. If the magnitude of I is 88 Ns and it acts in the direction BC, find the initial speeds of A, B and C.

Answer:

I2 u A 4 kg I2

B 6 kg I1 120o v

I1 C 8 kg

I = 88 Ns

Let I1 and I2 be the impulsive tensions in the strings BC and AB respectively. Since A is acted on only by I2, its initial speed u will be in the direction of AB. Since the string AB is taut, B must have a speed u in the direction AB. Also, let B have a speed v in a direction perpendicular to AB [this is necessary because I1 acts in a different direction to I2]. Finally, since both I and I1, the impulses acting on C, have the same direction BC, let C have an initial speed V in the direction BC. Since BC is taut, the speeds of B and C in the direction BC are equal. u cos 60 v cos 30 V u / 2 v 3 / 2 V. (i )

Considering the motion of A, 4u = I2.

6u I 1 cos 60 I 2 . 6u I 1 / 2 I 2 6v I 1 cos 30 6v I 1 3 / 2. (iv) (iii )

(ii)

Considering the motion of B along and perpendicular to AB,

Considering the motion of C, 8V = 88 I1. Eliminating I2 from equations (ii) and (iii) 6u I 1 / 2 4u I 1 20u. (a) Substituting from equation (a) in equation (iv), 6v 20u 3 / 2 5 v u 3 (v)

(b)

Substituting from equation (b) in equation (i), u 5 3 u V 2 3 2 V 3u

8 3u 88 20u 44u 88 u 2.

(c )

Substituting for V and I1 [equations (a) and (c)] in equation (v),

From (b) From (c)

v 10 / 3 .
V 6.

Speed of A is 2 m/s, Speed of B is

u2 v2 4
4

100 3

7 m/s. 3

Speed of C is 6 m/s.

Example

Four particles each of mass m are connected by inextensible strings. They are in the form of square as shown in the figure. If the particle A is acted by an impulse P, find the velocities of A, B, C, and D immediately after the impulse.

P C D A

Answer:

v3 B T2 v1 C T2 D T1 v2 v3 A P v2

Let v1 be the velocity of A, v2 and v3 be the components of the velocities of B and D, v4 be the velocity of C after the impulse P is applied. Let T1 and T2 be the impulsive tensions. Impulse consideration: For particle A: P 2T1 cos 45 mv1

P 2T1 mv1

(1) (2)

For particle B: T1 mv 2

and

T2 mv3

(3)

For particle C: 2T2 cos 45 mv 4 and Velocity consideration: Along BA: Along CB:
v1 cos 45 v 2

2T2 mv4

(4)

v1 2v 2 v3 v 4 cos 45
2v 3 v 4

(5)

(6)

Substitute (2) into (1) and substitute (3) into (4): P 2mv2 mv1 and
2mv3 mv 4
2v 3 v 4

(7)

(8)

After solving (5), (6), (7) and (8) for the velocities, we get
v1 P , 2m v2 P 2 2m , v3 v 4 0 . P . The initial velocities of B and D are 2m

The initial velocity of particle A is v1 v2 P 2 2m

. The velocity of particle C is zero.

Thg ot^n^ l4novcS f,nnn tl^rdy

pir fra*.

@o
$tuc

X*'\
ilb, [zsfi','tce

v3 "xY
A while

?-

( dr.gp.d

'J

x)
At

lryh'{

ay

h S11d
6t.

?,'*t

t +tt^J rh +\* fin.- -Tbrl

*'"kes

Ty

:^tl,rrr.f*
Tr^r

raevi.rS cb,era

$* F "tI oh tl^t :". nir, +b r+1 it

-- -( E! v {,+

r@
t
i

F ? -(v'

(f )

S"*.
Vl,tnc

-$= -T
r wc
hove

= ( r' -- Z(3y
) (3
LCJ

R=
Whc,r^

-3^I P.-3Cf"L, U=

uUt+ Rs 3(XJ *

t2r,

l7*r-rtol -(a
tvtl
a?

LI
i MaLL

nt t=o

4t +i.rt t

T--t-

-e

hf")'(uP lJ LLii - tuvi -

$,nn

t =r

^j* L i', n2
LtrV1.

jtre

Mrry

l/r totte )4 - ( = M - ly r-

R'*lro(a
,

3LU

WLrrr

ftt

&r"tl ir

(:-.. U' l- )

j*t
*

c^

fl* t"tb

f, svll

.)

fcI

o*t

nU? &t,

i*,#

fr+ t-- o

k',M rt")

-Q +

(T?

c)

-R+

'- n^(o) - rJ-o) (i *iel = u, R ?- <I1-t (i'

"rT

| +ve

At f,"ra f
(.51

(ru.
lrvt

!'
haxe

(z cxt*
Ju.q

4vt, ? 3c17

dhr,^

+hL

*"nI

j-4 ,f"(c,n V2 ,tr" !'

pz g&1 q, gt'19

c M. il('trd

+ rY 4t (L-v) hI = f,n
gt
7"nn

rA
?-

!-qt r-tL!)

(L'y

C
L

+ I'y vl0r,4 -

tJ

1r
frt t-- o
At fi^af

l*t

- L'rJ
a

I""
I

$r'z
ir=
lc*^
F
aa

\ : 3.

" ='tY l=I,, _

Y

ri) ii-t[t'*
.

tr@tt x(l- -tL)

Yrtl'

Y"n
1O

xT

YoA'-

v,

9,nn

(o^--

(t)

(;i^ (lt-R? R -- lL*R=

{-

li"'

eu

({F sr-')']

R'- )(.t ?

t
3t7L = 3l4q tr#

{ W[,r^ T=

R=

Z,r

ly

(v

= voo oo.rfar,f )

/{"1u'{ ,?e , f ('"X tnet

*fP- Efri*r

t ,tve

(- rw ?

fitqt)
Thr claai^
76av?!

('hI
l"
Vo

? nfi+ Ai"
.i

.,.itl,q sgeed Vo

t ,^ct*t z)y
(c
(:

(v, = (.,or^tt*tf)
?o

Fi"d F

t a3

LW+ )r"

=)

l)
,*

^QJ+Y

fuo ftve

V=
Vo

:vv.tQ dta-

Fub
v

F-ry--(-IAt
o"2Vo
=i.\ Vg

tol

Tt
!,

4v

Ut',

.C

G,

&t

2i

--

7ro

lt. Lcc,.*r9 F- trII--

r"'(o) -- C-vJ h'o

+
4

F = A'1l.t 2v7

e -- 2( ll

t V,'),.

(0,=

-*tta"(

)
--*

f +ve
{'t

qte' (?
(-

^x1

-_ *(ay)) - [rt \
e- aYf

(-

^W
-e LrJtr
-/
ai

+ L3 Tu c-.ki*uaov.er uf w ft c'o"rta"^t
1 -^t
C^raQzr,q'rl4 4.

a T
9.^a

rlSJ* 1"3

r'

F,*dF.

3=

o- ,r^ff*t
^1

j-l/t
}.srvt
('

x,JIt 71nt l'n1

VY1-

=)

??
(,

+ 3tnT

L,1

Qt 3") *

v,-*4*.t)
?

tv.

(u+

a) ( - tl1 '- h()y i)

;)

+ ly z .. J f, ?rq -lJ |

21

t
ft,,
c,lo;(^

is s*'

e)

tii"
v

h l'",ovL\^

?.Hl'*
zP.flt'"
> "

a
=)

( -- :;^fir 4$l t lT
?

( c- lvX *)J!l 4 r \
U'k ( i \[t 4tt4t
t) r L?, -dtr lv

r-'t'ta.

(e-rv|tv

vy

z)

fr-I
Jeaxk

Wcl,'tor- n^4i:

"I

4l'"

4o"^
3&u) ,L'('?e-

#t

(o>X

eu

uf

n hviau?lav lwwtw(
\

l{.dreA

ptodiarr

t/

e\

c,i4,

\ '\

Mqli6|^

c'-

1qethe t
[i,.^i lan,t"
,\

fqD=

ioD

Q?'- t

tf

a -- _l
t'-e
&u =

lr = J rrF*^
Q;

Roe7

tf
t

R"*^o)

t,

fyh"a I
,=

)r= A."so

' *,.,_,e

&n7

l1= Ro.,so&2

fnns'a40

r; ttt
q 7"
tZ

'- lj; f
., 1L ,

u
I

(j "r^

ds {rit frn,t'o l,' s t^*'):"'

6
Jo

.)) ;

t-

ro
:)

Lwt r;

2^;

n
,rr1;

V.' =

fil"sruA

Lo*ri

T,, I*+ TL
ff
TI=

!nu

e) Tr=

kI f')*n o,
r

-+Tv

[r'^ fft^ ?I* --"Ly t T^ f

Yrf
-fe

fAY

t
t

t-

$ r

{hletw

10.3 Gas Laws

Boyles law

Keeping the temperature constant, the volume of a gas varies inversely with the pressure, which is equivalent to saying that pressure times volume is constant.

1 P

or

PV = constant

Charless law

When the pressure is kept constant, the volume of a given amount of any gas varies directly with the temperature (in Kelvin).
V T or

V constant T

Gay-Lussacs law

When the volume is kept constant, the absolute pressure of a given amount of any gas varies directly with the temperature (in Kelvin).

PT

or

P constant T

The ideal gas law

As the pressure increases with the number of moles of gas molecules linearly, we have
P n , where n is the number of moles of gas molecules. From the Boyles law and the

Gay-Lussacs law, we have P we conclude that P

1 and P T respectively. Summing up the relations, V

nT PV , i.e. n constant . The proportional constant is nearly V T

the same for all gases at low pressures and is referred as the universal gas constant R, where R = 8.31451 J/(mol K). The ideal gas law is given by

PV n RT .
The Avogadros number NA = 6.022 1023 is the number of molecules per mole, and so

nNA equals N molecules present in a sample of gas. Now, the ideal gas law can be
rewritten as

PV n RT

N R RT N ( )T N k B T , NA NA

where kB is the Boltzmanns constant and kB = 1.38066 1023 J/K.

Example

A cylindrical flask of cross-sectional area A is fitted with an airtight piston that is free to slide up and down. Contained within the flask is an ideal gas. Initially the pressure applied by the piston is 130 kPa and the height of the piston above the base of the flask is 25 cm. When additional mass is added to the piston, the pressure increases to 170 kPa. Assuming the system is always at the temperature 290 K, find the new height of the piston.

Piston Piston h1 P1 h2 P2

Answer:

The system is basically isotherms, that is, the temperature is kept constant. The Boyles law is applied here as PV = constant, or P1V1 = P2V2. (130103)(0.25 A) = (170103)(h2 A) gives h2 = 19 cm.

10.4 Kinetic theory

Pressure and temperature of a gas are macroscopic quantities. However, the macroscopic quantities connect the microscopic quantities, such as the position or velocity of an individual molecule. The kinetic theory of gas states the connection. We imagine a gas to be made up of a collection of molecules moving about inside a container of volume V. In particular, we assume the following: The container holds a very large number N of identical molecules. Each molecule has a mass m, and behaves as point particle.

The molecules move about the container in a random manner. They obey Newtons laws of motion at all times. When molecules hit the walls of the container or collide with one another, they bounce elastically. Other than these collisions, the molecules have no interactions.

(a)

The origin of pressure

Imagine a container that is a cube of length L on a side. Its volume, then, is V = L3. In addition, consider a given molecule of mass m that moves in the negative x direction toward a wall. If its velocity is vx and then vx after rebound from the containers wall. The change of momentum of the molecule is given by

p x p f , x pi , x mv x ( mv x ) 2mv x . As the time required for this round trip of length 2L is t 2 L / v x , the average force exerted by the wall on the molecule is F
2 mv x p 2mv x . t 2 L / v x L

vx
vx

Round trip = 2L

The average pressure exerted by the wall is P

2 2 2 / L mv x mv x F F mv x 2 . A L V L2 L3

Since a gas consists of molecules of different velocities, the relation above should be replaced by P
2 ) av m( v x , where av represents the average value. Now, the gas V

molecules moves in a three dimensional space, we have

2 2 2 2 v av (v x ) av (v y ) av (v z2 ) av 3(v x ) av which yields P 2 1 1 mv av 2 ) or P v av , N( 3 3 V

where N is the number of molecules in the container and is the density of the gas. Rearrange the equation, we finally obtain an equation in kinetic theory of gas PV 1 2 N mv av . 3

The L.H.S. of the above equation can be expressed in terms of the kinetic energy of individual molecule, e.g. PV 1 2 mv 2 2 2 N mv av N ( av ) N K av . But, as we know that 3 3 2 3

PV N k B T , we then have a most important result

K av

3 k BT . 2

(b)

RMS speed of a gas molecule

The square root of (v 2 ) av is given a special name the root mean square (rms) speed. As

K av

3k T 1 3 m(v 2 ) av k B T , we obtain (v 2 ) av B , hence 2 2 m

v rms

3k B T . m

The rms speed of the gas molecules can be expressed in terms of the molecular mass M, e.g. v rms
3RT , since kB = R/NA. M

(c)

The speed distribution of molecules

The distribution of speeds of molecules is governed by the Maxwell speed distribution. The following figure shows the distribution of speeds of oxygen gas at the temperatures T = 300 K, and T = 1100 K. Note that the most probable speed increases with increasing temperature.

10.5 The internal energy of an ideal gas

The internal energy U of a substance is the sum of its potential energy and kinetic energy. In an ideal gas, as there are no interactions between gas molecules, the potential energy is then zero. As a result, the internal energy U of an ideal gas is represented by its kinetic energy. U Since U 3 N k BT . 2

3 3 N k B T (n N A )k B T and R N A k B , we obtain a similar relation, but this 2 2 3 nRT . 2

time in terms of moles U

Example

Two identical containers A and B are connected by a tap S that is initially closed. A contains an ideal gas at a pressure P1 and temperature T1. B contains the same gas at a pressure P2 and a temperature T2. The taps is then opened. If the temperatures of containers A and B are maintained and remain unchanged, find the molar ratio of the gas in the two containers. Find also the pressure of the gas mixture. P1 A T1
Answer:

P2

T2

Before opening S, the number of moles of gas in containers A and B:

n1 P1V PV and n 2 2 , RT1 RT2

where V is the volume of containers A and B. After opening S, the number of moles of gas in containers A (or B): n1 ' P 'V P 'V and n2 ' . RT1 RT2

P 'V n ' RT1 T2 Therefore, 1 . n2 ' P'V T1 RT2 As n1 n 2 n1 ' n2 ' , we have pressure in the containers. After simplification, we obtain
P1 P2 P ' P ' . Rearrange the expression T1 T2 T1 T2 P1V P2V P 'V P 'V , where P is the common RT1 RT2 RT1 RT2

P1 P2 T1 T2 P T P2T1 . P' 1 2 1 1 T1 T2 T1 T2

10.6 Important terms used in thermodynamics

Heat: Heat is the energy transferred between objects because of a temperature

difference
Thermal equilibrium: Objects that are in thermal contact, but have no heat

exchange between them, are said to be in thermal equilibrium.

Temperature: Temperature is the quantity that determines whether or not two

objects will be in thermal equilibrium.

10.7 The zeroth law of thermodynamics

If object A is in thermal equilibrium with object C, and object B is separately in thermal equilibrium with object C, then objects A and B will be in thermal equilibrium if they are placed in thermal contact.

10.8 The first law of thermodynamics

The change in a systems internal energy, U, is related to the heat Q and the work W as follows:

U Q W , where W PdV .
Q is positive Q is negative W is positive W is negative

System gains heat System loses heat Work done on system Work done by system

It is noted that if work is done on an insulated system (i.e. Q = 0) its internal energy increases. The work done W has a positive value when the external world does work on the system (e.g. compression), and it has a negative value when work is done by the system (e.g. expansion).

U U f U i W
On the other hand, if the system does work, and / or heat is removed, its internal energy decreases.

10.9 Thermal Processes

All processes discussed in this section are assumed to be quasi-static, which means the processes occur so slowly that at any given time the system and its surroundings are essentially in equilibrium. Thus, in a quasi-static process, the pressure and temperature are always uniform throughout the system. If friction or dissipative forces are neglected, the process is considered to be reversible. For a reversible process, it must be possible to return both the system and its surroundings to exactly the same states they were in before the process began.

(a)

Isothermal processes Constant-temperature heat bath

Piston Piston

Consider the following reversible processes at constant temperature, the piston moves down without friction. Applying the first law of thermodynamics, U Q W , and making use the property of ideal gas which has its internal energy depends only on the temperature, we have U 0 and Q W , since the process is carried out at constant temperature. The work done, W, is positive as work is done on the system. Hence we have a negative Q, that is, heat is given out by the system to the external world. The reversed process in the figure below performs the same idea, but this time the work W is negative, as work is done by the system. Since U 0 again, the heat Q is then positive or we conclude that heat is gained by the system from the external world.
Constant-temperature heat bath

Piston Piston

Remarks: PV plots

The PV plot of one mole of an ideal gas at the temperatures 300 K, 500 K, 700 K and 900 K. Notice that each isotherm has the shape of a hyperbola. As the temperature is increased, however, the isotherms move farther from the origin. Thus, the pressure corresponding to a given volume increases with temperature, as one would expect.

In an isothermal expansion from the volume Vi to the volume Vf, the absolute value of the work done is equal to the shaded area. For n moles of an ideal gas at the temperature T, the work done by the gas is
W P dV
Vi Vf Vf V f dV nRT nRT ln V dV nRT Vi V V Vf Vi

Vi

Vf nRT ln Vi

Example

A cylinder contains 0.50 mol of an ideal gas at a temperature of 310 K. As the gas expands isothermally from an initial volume of 0.31 m3 to a final volume of 0.45 m3, find the amount of heat that must be added to the gas in order to maintain a constant temperature.
Vf Vi

T = constant

Answer:

Since the process is isothermal, the internal energy of an ideal gas has no change, i.e.
U 0 . The relation U Q W gives Q = W, where W is negative (work is done by

the system) . Now, we know that the gas gains heat from the surrounding (positive Q). As the work done W is given by PdV , we obtain W as
Vi Vf

W PdV
Vi

Vf

Vf

Vi

Vf V f dV nRT V dV nRT nRT ln V V f nRT ln( ) . Vi V i Vi V

Substituting n = 0.50 mol, R = 8.31 J/(mol K), Vf = 0.45 m3 and Vi = 0.31 m3, we obtain

Q = W = 480 J.

(b)

Adiabatic processes

A process is said to be adiabatic if there are no heat flows into or out of the system. We can have such process if the system is well insulated. The figure below is an adiabatic compression, the gas heats up and its pressure increases.

Insulation Piston

P increases T increases

Similarly, for an adiabatic expansion, the gas cools down and the pressure decrease.

Example

When a rod that fits snugly into a cylinder is pushed downward rapidly, the temperature of the gas increases before there is time for heat to flow out of the system. Thus, the process is essentially adiabatic. As a result, the temperature of the gas can increase enough to ignite bits of paper in the cylinder. In a diesel engine the same principle is used to ignite an air-gasoline mixture.

Example

An amount of gas is compressed from volume A isothermally and the PV plot is obtained as shown in curve (ii). If the same gas is compressed adiabatically, which curve would show the correct curve? Curve (i) or curve (iii)?

Answer:

In an adiabatic compression, no heat change occurs in the process. According to the first law of thermodynamics, U Q W W , U is positive as W is positive during compression. The increasing temperature gives an increasing pressure for a given volume of gas. Hence, curve (iii) is the correct curve.

10.10 Specific heats for an ideal gas

(a)

Constant volume

A heat Q flows into a constant-volume container, which is filled with n mole ideal gas, the temperature of the gas rises by the amount T, and its pressure increases as well. The heat Q is given by QV = n CV T, where CV is the molar specific heat of a gas at constant volume. In other words, we can write CV (b) Constant pressure
QV . nT

Similarly, the whole process can be carried out at constant pressure, but this time with the temperature and volume varies. If a heat Q is added to the gas then its temperature and volume increase. The molar specific heat of a gas at constant pressure is related by QP =

n CP T, where CP is the molar specific heat of a gas at constant pressure. And, we have
CP QP . nT

According to the first law of thermodynamics U Q W , we have in process (a) the internal energy U Q , since W = PV = P(0) = 0. But, U 3 nRT QV 3 R. have CV 2 nT 2 nT For process (b), it is a constant-pressure case, as heat is added to the container, the increasing volume involves a work done W by the gas, where W P V nR T . Making using the relation U Q W again and we obtain 3 nRT , hence we 2

Q U W

3 5 nRT nR T nRT . 2 2

5 nRT QP 5 2 R. Plug it into the expression of CP, we obtain C P 2 nT nT Now, we conclude that CP is greater than CV, as extra work is required for expansion while increasing the temperature.

C P CV R .