A Physical Proof Of The AM-GM Inequality For 2 Variables

Navneel Singhal

October 23, 2016

§ What We’ll Use

We’ll use the thermodynamic equation ∆Q = ∆U + W, along with some properties
of adiabatic processes, the ideal gas equation P V = nRT , and the expression for the
internal energy of an ideal gas.

§ The Problem
Consider the following problem:
There is an insulated chamber which is partitioned into two chambers, initially at identical
conditions, by a massless movable piston. There is an ideal gas inside the chamber. The
piston moves uniformly at the same speed, and the gas undergoes a quasi-static adiabatic
process. Find the temperature of the chamber when the volumes are in the ratio α : β in
terms of the original temperature T0 and the specific heat ratio of the gas γ.

§ The Solution
Since the chamber is insulated and the gas undergoes an adiabatic process, 0 = ∆Q = ∆U +W.
Thus, the work done by the external agency equals the change in internal energy by the law
of conservation of energy and the work energy theorem, as the kinetic energy
remains the same.
Let the pressures, volumes, and temperatures of the gas in the left and the right chambers
be P1 , P2 , V1 , V2 , T1 , T2 when the piston moves by x in the right direction (wlog). By the
ideal gas equation, if the initial pressure, temperature, volume are P0 , V0 , T0 , then
P0 V0 /T0 = P1 V1 /T1 = P2 V2 /T2 . By the thermodynamic equation, using the formula for
internal energy, if the number of moles of the gas in either chamber is n, then

2ncv dt + dW1 + dW2 = 0

1
Navneel Singhal
2nR
⇒ + (P1 − P2 )dV = 0
γ−1
 
2nR dt P0 V0 dV1 dV1
⇒ · + − =0
γ−1 t T0 V1 2V0 − V1
Z T Z 2αV0  
2nR dt α+β P V
0 0 dV1 dV1
⇒ · + − =0
T0 γ − 1 t V0 T0 V1 2V0 − V1
 γ−1
(α + β)2 2

⇒ T = T0
4αβ
Now, the value γ is always > 1 as cp = cv + R and cv > 0. The work done in a small interval
is (P1 − P2 )dV which is negative due to dV > 0 and because P1 /P2 = V2 /V1 < 1. So the
change in internal energy is positive, ⇒ ncv dT > 0 ⇒ dT > 0 ⇒ ∆T ≥ 0, where the equality
sign is for the case when α = β, viz., when no displacement is there. Since the change in
  γ−1
(α+β)2 2
temperature is > 0, T0 4αβ > 1 and thus, (α + β)2 ≥ 4αβ as γ > 1. On taking square
roots of both sides, we get the AM-GM inequality. This is valid for all positive real numbers
because the ratio α/β can be any positive real number.

§ The Conclusion
It may be felt that this proof is somewhat clumsy and leads to an obvious inequality about
the square of a number being greater than or equal to 0. But what this proof illustrates is
that some ad hoc proofs may exist for obvious facts, leading to sometimes overkill solutions.
This is meant for exactly this purpose.
Also, the author feels that this proof can be somewhat generalized for the AM-GM inequality
of n variables too.