Tutorial 1

Example 1
A fluid expands frictionlessly in a closed from a volume of 0.100 m3 to 0.160 m3 in such a
C
manner that the pressure is given by ¿ 2 , where C is a constant. The initial pressure is 300
V
kPa. Calculate the amount of work done.

Example 2
An elevator with a mass of 2500 kg rests at a level 10 m above the base of an elevator shaft.
It is raised to 100 m above the base of the shaft where the cable holding it breaks. The
elevator falls freely to the base of the shaft and strikes a strong spring. The spring is designed
to bring the elevator to rest by means of a catch arrangement, to hold the elevator at the
position of maximum spring compression. Assuming the entire process to be frictionless and
taking acceleration due to gravity to be 9.81 m/s2, calculate
2.1 The potential energy of the elevator in its initial position relative to the base of the
shaft.
2.2 The work done in raising the elevator
2.3 The potential energy of the elevator in its highest point relative to the base of the shaft
2.4 The kinetic energy and the velocity of the elevator just before it strikes the spring.

Example 3
One mol of carbon monoxide, considered to be ideal gas with a constant pressure heat
capacity (Cp) of 29.3 J/mol.K is subjected to the following process. Carbon monoxide at
2.758 MPa and 700 K is expanded isothermally to 0.552 MPa. It is cooled at constant volume
to 437.5 K and further cooled at constant pressure to 350 K before it is compressed
adiabatically to the initial pressure of 2.758 MPa. Lastly the gas is heated to its initial
temperature of 700 K in a constant pressure process. Calculate the heat requirement, work
and change in internal energy for each step of the process and for the entire process if
reversibility can be assumed. Also sketch the path of the entire process on a PV diagram.
Example 4
An ideal gas totaling 1 mol in quantity is taken through a four step cyclic process. The gas is
subjected to an isothermal expansion at 300 K from 5 bar (P1) to pressure P2, 40% of the
initial pressure, an adiabatic expansion to pressure P3, half of P2. A constant pressure cooling
to a temperature of 150 K and constant volume heating to initial temperature of 300 K. All
processes are assumed reversible. For the process Cp is constant and equal to 30 J/mol.K.
Calculate the heat requirements, work, change in internal energy and change in enthalpy for
each step and for the entire process. Sketch the path of the entire process on a PV diagram.
Example 5
One mole of an ideal gas is compressed in a piston/ cylinder assembly from the initial state of
1 bar and 300 K until its volume is reduced to 1/15 (15 th) of the original volume. The process
Cp
of compression can be approximated as an adiabatic process with =1.2 and C=PV α
Cv

5.1 Determine the final temperature and pressure of the gas.

5.2 Calculate the work done in the process.
5.3 Determine the heat transferred.
5.4 State whether the work done is by the system or the surroundings.