Sample Problems (Gaskell, 2003) First Law of Thermodynamics
Sample Problem 1
One mole of a monatomic ideal gas, in the initial state T=273K, P=1atm, is
subjected to the following two processes, each of which is conducted reversibly:
a. A doubling of its volume at constant pressure;
b. Then a doubling of its pressure at constant volume.
Calculate the heat and work effects which occur during each of the processes.
Cp=5R/2
Sample Problem 2
An ideal gas at 300 K has a volume of 15 liters at a pressure of 15 atm. Calculate:
(1) the final volume of the system;
(2) the work done by the system;
(3) heat entering or leaving the system;
(4) the change in the internal energy; and
(5) the change in the enthalpy
when the gas undergoes a reversible adiabatic expansion to a pressure of 10 atm.
The constant volume molar heat capacity of the gas (Cv) has the value of 3R/2.
Sample Problem 3
Ten moles of ideal gas, in the initial state P1= 10atm, T1=300K, are taken round the
following cycle:
a. A reversible change of state along a straight line path on the P-V diagram to the
state, P=1atm, T-300K.
b. A reversible isobaric compression to V=24.6L, and
c. A reversible constant volume process to P=10atm.
Draw the cycle path on a P-V diagram. Monitor the change in heat, work, and
internal energy in each process. Express all values in kJ. Cv =3R/2
Problems for independent work
Problem 1 (Gaskell, 1973)
A system comprises one mole of an ideal gas at 0C and 1 atm. The system is
subjected to the following processes, each of which is conducted reversibly:
a. A 10-fold increase in volume at constant temperature
b. Then a 100-fold adiabatic increase in pressure
c. Then a return to the initial state along a straight-line path in the P-V diagram.
Calculate the work done by the system in step c and the total heat added to or
withdrawn from the system as a result of the cyclic process.
Problem 2 (Gaskell, 2003)
One mole of an ideal gas at 25C and 1 atm undergoes the following reversibly
conducted process:
a. Isothermal expansion to 0.5 atm, followed by
b. Isobaric expansion to 100C, followed by
c. Isothermal compression to 1 atm, followed by
d. Isobaric compression to 25C
The system then undergoes the following reversible cyclic process:
a. Isobaric expansion to 100C, followed by
b. A decrease in pressure at constant volume to P atm, followed by
c. An isobaric compression at P atm to 24.5 liters, followed by
d. An increase in pressure at constant volume to 1 atm
Calculate the value of P which makes the work done on the gas in the first cycle
equal to the work done by the gas in the second cycle.
Problem 3 (Gaskell, 2003)
Two moles of an ideal gas, in an initial state P = 10 atm, V = 5 liters, are taken
reversible in a clockwise direction around a circular path given by (V-10)2 + (P-10)2
= 25. Calculate the amount of work done by the gas as a result of the process, and
calculate the maximum and minimum temperatures attained by the gas during the
cycle.
Problem 4 (Young et al, 2004) A Thermodynamic Process in a Liquid
A chemical engineer is studying the properties of liquid methanol (CH3OH). She
uses a steel cylinder with a cross-sectional area of 0.0200 m2 and containing 1.20 x
10-2 m3 of methanol. The cylinder is equipped with a tightly fitting piston that
supports a load of 3.00 x 104 N. The temperature of the system is increased from
20.0C to 50.0C. For methanol, the coefficient of volume expansion is 1.20 x 10-3 K1
, the density is 791 kg/m3, and the specific heat capacity at constant pressure is cp
= 2.51 x 103 J/kg-K. You can ignore the expansion of the steel cylinder. Find
a). the increase in volume of the methanol;
b). the mechanical work done by the methanol against the 3.00 x 104 N force;
c). the amount of heat added to the methanol;
d). the change in internal energy of the methanol.
e). Based on your results, explain whether there is any substantial difference
between the specific heat capacities cp (at constant pressure) and cv (at constant
volume) for methanol under these conditions.
