Assignment 3 – EN412

Ques 1: Assume that the Einstein frequency w o for a particular crystal depends upon the
molar volume:

w o=woo −A ln ( ) v
vo

a) Calculate the isothermal compressibility of this crystal.

b) Calculate the heat transfer if a crystal (of one mole) is compressed at constant
temperature from v i to v f .

Ques 2: The fundamental equation of a particular fluid is

1 1
U N 2 V 2 = A ( S – R )3

( )
9
3 2
where A=2× 10 K m . Two moles of this fluid are used as the auxiliary system in a
−2
3
J
Carnot cycle, operating between two thermal reservoirs at temperature 100°C and 0°C. In
the first isothermal expansion 106 J is extracted from the high-temperature reservoir. Find
the heat transfer and the work transfer for each of the four processes in the Carnot cycle.
Calculate the efficiency of the cycle directly from the work and heat transfers just computed.
Does this efficiency agree with the theoretical Carnot efficiency?
Hint: Carnot cycle problems generally are best discussed in terms of a T -S diagram for the
auxiliary system.

Ques 3: In the two-state model system of this section suppose the excited state energy ε of
an "atom" depends on its average distance from its neighbouring atoms so that
a V
ε = ~ γ , ~υ= ~
υ N
where a and γ are positive constants. This assumption, applied to a somewhat more
sophisticated model of a solid, was introduced by Gruneisen, and γ is the "Gruneisen
parameter." Calculate the pressure P as a function of ~υ and T.

Ques 4: Calculate the molar heat capacity of the Einstein model by

U ℏ ωo
= ℏω
3N NA k T
o

e −1 B
Show that the molar heat capacity approaches 3R at high temperatures. Show that the
temperature dependence of the molar heat capacity is exponential near zero temperature,
and calculate the leading exponential term.

Ques 5: A rubber band consisting of n polymer chains is stretched from zero length to its
full extension ¿) at constant temperature T. Does the energy of the system increase or
decrease? Calculate the work done on the system and the heat transfer to the system.

Ques 6: Calculate the work and heat transfers in each stage of the Carnot cycle for the
auxiliary system being an "empty" cylinder (containing only electromagnetic radiation). The
first step of the cycle is again specified to be an expansion from V A to V B. All results are to
be expressed in terms of V A , V B, T h, and T c. Show that the ratio of the total work transfer to
the first-stage heat transfer agrees with the Carnot efficiency.