PHYSICS CHAPTER 16

The study of relationships

involving heat, mechanical
work, and other aspects of
energy and energy transfer
for the system.

CHAPTER 15:
Thermodynamics

Thermodynamic system is
any collection of objects that is
convenient to regard as a unit,
and that may have the
potential energy to exchange
energy with its surroundings.
surroundings 1
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Learning Outcome:

15.1 First law of thermodynamics (1 hour)

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
¡ Distinguish between work done on the system and work
done by the system.
¡ State and use first law of thermodynamics,

Q= ∆U+W

2
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
15.1 First law of thermodynamics
15.1.1 Signs for heat, Q and work, W
¡ Sign convention for heat, Q :
Q = positive value Heat flow into the system
Q = negative value Heat flow out of the system
¡ Sign convention for work, W:
W = positive value Work done by the system
W = negative value Work done on the system
¡ Figures 15.1 show a thermodynamic system may exchange
energy with its surroundings (environment).
(a) Surroundings (b) Surroundings
(environment) (environment)

System System
Q> 0 W= 0 Q< 0 3 W= 0
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
(c) Surroundings (d) Surroundings
(environment) (environment)

System System
Q= 0 W> 0 Q= 0 W< 0

(e) Surroundings (f) Surroundings

(environment) (environment)

System System
Q> 0 W> 0 Q< 0 W< 0
Figure 15.1
4
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
¡ Example for work done by the system and work done on the
system are shown in Figure 15.2.
Motion of
Motion of piston
piston

Air
Air
Air
Initially Expansion Compression
Figure 15.2
l When the air is expanded,
expanded the molecule loses kinetic
energy and does positive work on piston.
l When the air is compressed,
compressed the molecule gains kinetic
energy and does negative work on piston.
5
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
15.1.2 First law of thermodynamics
¡ states : “The heat (Q) supplied to a system is equal to the

increase in the internal energy (∆U) of the system

plus the work done (W) by the system on its
surroundings.”
surroundings
OR
(15.1) Q= ∆U+W and ∆ U = U 2 − U1
where Q : quantity of heat supplied
W : work done
∆ U : change in the internal energy
U1 : initial internal energy
U 2 : final internal energy
¡ For infinitesimal change in the energy,

dQ = dU + dW
6
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
¡ The first law of thermodynamics is a generalization of the
principle of conservation of energy to include energy transfer
through heat as well as mechanical work.
¡ The change in the internal energy (∆U) of a system during any
thermodynamic process is independent of path.
path For example a
thermodynamics system goes from state 1 to state 2 as shown in
Figure 15.3.
P
P1 1 3

P2
4 2
Figure 15.3
0 V1 V2 V
∆ U1→ 2 = ∆ U1→ 4→ 2 = ∆ U1→ 3→ 27
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
¡ The internal energy depends only on temperature of the
system. If the initial and final temperature (state) of the
system is the same,
same hence

∆ U = U 2 − U1 = 0
f
because U = nRT
2
thus U = U
2 1
¡ The change in the internal energy also zero in the cyclic
thermodynamic process (repeated process) because the
initial and final state of the system is the same.
¡ The internal energy is not depend on the volume of the
system.

8
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Example 15.1 :
One mole of neon gas is heated from 27 °C to 147 °C at constant
pressure. Determine
a. the value of γ,
b. the amount of heat transferred to the gas,
c. the change in the internal energy of the gas,
d. the work done on the gas.
(Given a molar specific heat at constant pressure of the neon gas
is 20.79 J K−1 mol−1 and R = 8.31 J K−1 mol−1)
−1 −1
T
Solution : 1 = 300 K; T2 = 420 K; C P = 20. 79 J K mol ;
n= 1
a. Apply : C P − CV = R
20.79 − CV = 8.31
CV = 12.48 J K − 1 mol − 1
9
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution : T1 = 300 K; T2 = 420 K; C P = 20.79 J K − 1 mol − 1 ;
n= 1
a. Therefore C P 20.79
γ = =
CV 12.48

b. The amount of heat transferred to the gas is given by

Q = nC P ∆ T
= (1)( 20.79)( 420 − 300)

c. Apply : ∆ U = U 2 − U1
 f   f 
=  nRT2  −  nRT1 
 2   2 
f
∆ U = nR( T2 − T1 )
2 10
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution : T1 = 300 K; T2 = 420 K; C P = 20.79 J K − 1 mol − 1 ;
n= 1
c. Since the neon gas is monatomic thus f = 3
Hence
3
∆ U = (1)( 8.31)( 420 − 300)
2

d. By applying the 1st law of thermodynamic thus

Q= ∆U+W

11
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Exercise 15.1 :
Given R = 8.31 J mol−1 K−1
1. The density of nitrogen gas at STP is 1.25 kg m−3.
Determine the specific heat capacity at constant pressure of
nitrogen gas if the specific heat capacity at constant
volume is
743 J kg−1 K−1. (Given 1 atm = 1.01×105 Pa)
ANS. : 1040 J kg−1 K−1

12
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Learning Outcome:
15.2 Thermodynamics processes (1 hour)
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
¡ State and explain thermodynamics processes:
l Isothermal, ΔU= 0
l Isovolumetric, W = 0
l Isobaric, ΔP = 0
l Adiabatic, Q = 0
l
¡ Sketch P−V graph for all thermodynamics processes

13
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
15.2 Thermodynamics processes
¡ There are four specific kinds of thermodynamic processes. It is
l Isothermal process
l Adiabatic process
l Isochoric (isovolumetric) process
l Isobaric process

15.2.1 Isothermal process

¡ is defined as a process that occurs at constant temperature.
temperature
i.e.
¡ ∆U = 0
Thus Q = ∆ U + W Q= W
Isothermal changes
¡ When a gas expands or compresses isothermally (constant
temperature) thus

PV = constant (15.2)
14
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
¡ Equation (15.2) can be expressed as

P1V1 = P2V2 Animation15.1

¡ isothermally thus V2>V1

If the gas expand isothermally, W = positive
¡ isothermally thus V2<V1
If the gas compress isothermally, W = negative
15.2.2 Adiabatic process
¡ is defined as a process that occurs without heat transfer into
or out of a system i.e.

Q= 0 thus Q= ∆U+W
∆ U = U 2 − U1 = − W
¡ For example, the compression stroke in an internal combustion
engine is an approximately adiabatic process.

15
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
¡ Note :
l For Adiabatic expansion (V2>V1), W = positive value
but ∆U =negative value hence the internal energy of
the system decreases.
decreases
l For Adiabatic compression (V2<V1), W = negative
value but ∆U =positive value hence the internal
energy of the system increases.
increases
Adiabatic changes
¡ Consider the 1st law of thermodynamics written in differential
(infinitesimal) form:
dQ = dU + dW (15.3)
¡ Since that the internal energy is independent of the volume
and is related to the temperature by the molar heat
capacity at constant volume,
volume therefore
dU = dQV = nCV dT
16
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
¡ Then equation (15.3) can be expressed as
¡
¡
dQ = nCV dT + dW where dW = PdV and dQ = 0
¡ nCV dT + PdV = 0 (15.4)
¡ Equation of adiabatic changes in temperature and volume
l From the equation of state for an ideal gas,
nRT
PV = nRT then P =
l
l substitute in eq. (15.4)
Therefore V
 nRT 
¡
nCV dT +   dV = 0
 V   RT 
CV dT = −   dV
 V 
dT  R  dV
+   = 0 and R = C P − CV
T  CV  V
17
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
dT  C P − CV  dV
+   = 0
T  CV  V
dT  C P  dV CP
+  − 1 = 0 and = γ
T  CV  V CV
dT dV
+ ( γ − 1) = 0 (15.5)
T V
l For finite changes in temperature and volume, integrate
eq. (15.5), hence
dT dV
∫ + ( γ − 1) ∫ = 0
T V
ln T + ( γ − 1) ln V = constant
ln T + ln (V ) = constant
γ −1

ln (TV γ − 1 ) = constant 18
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15

TV γ − 1 = constant (15.6)

OR
γ −1 γ −1
TV1 1 = T2V2
where V1 : initial volume
V2 : final volume
T1 : initial absolute temperatu re
T2 : final absolute temperatu re
l Note :
¡ Adiabatic expansion (dV > 0) always occurs
with a drop in temperature (dT < 0).
¡ Adiabatic compression (dV < 0) always occurs
with a rise in temperature (dT > 0).
19
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
¡ Equation of adiabatic changes in pressure and volume
l Rearrange the equation of state for an ideal gas,

PV
PV = nRT then T = substitute in eq. (15.6)
nR
l Therefore
 PV  γ − 1
  V = constant
 nR 
γ
PV = constant (15.7)

OR

γ γ
PV = P2V2
1 1

where P1 : initial pressure

P2 : final pressure 20
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
15.2.3 Isochoric (Isovolumetric)
volumetric
¡ is defined as a process that occurs at constant volume i.e.
W= 0 thus Q= ∆U+W
Animation15.2 Q = ∆ U = U 2 − U1
¡ In an isochoric process, all the energy added as heat remains
in the system as an increase in the internal energy thus the
temperature of the system increases.
increases
¡ For example, heating a gas in a closed constant volume
container is an isochoric process.
15.2.4 Isobaric
bar
¡ is defined as a process that occurs at constant pressure i.e.

∆P= 0 and W = P∆ V thus Q= ∆U+W

Animation15.3 Q = ∆ U + P∆ V
¡ For example, boiling water at constant pressure is an isobaric
process. 21
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
15.2.4 Pressure-Volume diagram (graph) for
thermodynamic processes
¡ Figure 15.4 shows a P−V diagram for each thermodynamic

process for a constant amount of an ideal gas.

Path A→B Isothermal process (TB=TA)
Path A→C Adiabatic process (TC<TA)
P Path A→D Isochoric process (TD<TA)
Path A→E Isobaric process (TE>TA)

A E T4 > T3 > T2 > T1

P1
T4
P2 B T3
D T2
P3 C
T1
0 V1 V2 V3 V
Figure 15.4
22
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
¡ From the Figure 15.4,
l For comparison between the isothermal ( A→B) and
adiabatic expansions (A→C):
¡ The temperature fall (TC<TB) which
accompanies the adiabatic expansion results
in a lower final pressure than that produced
by the isothermal expansion (PC<PB).
¡ The area under the isothermal is greater than
that under the adiabatic,
adiabatic i.e. more work is
done by the isothermal expansion than by the
adiabatic expansion.
¡ The adiabatic through any point is steeper than
the isothermal through that point.

23
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Example 15.2 :
An ideal gas is contained in a cylinder by a frictionless tight piston.
The cylinder is surrounded by insulation to prevent loss of heat.
Initially the volume of the gas is 2.9 × 10−4 m3, its pressure is
1.04 × 105 Pa and its temperature is 314 K.
a. Calculate the number of moles for the gas in the cylinder.
b. The gas is then compressed to a volume of 2.9 × 10−5 m3 and its
temperature rises to 790 K. Determine the pressure of the gas
after this compression.
c. The work done on the gas during the compression is 91 J.
Calculate the increase in the internal energy of the gas.
d. Explain why a rise in the temperature of the gas takes place
during
the compression.
(Given R = 8.31 J K−1 mol−1)
24
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
−4
V
Solution : 1 = 2.9 × 10 m 3
; P1 = 1.04 × 10 5
Pa; T = 314 K
a. By applying the ideal gas equation, thus
P1V1 = nRT1
( )( )
1.04 × 105 2.9 × 10 − 4 = n( 8.31)( 314 )

−5
b. Given V2 = 2.9 × 10 m ; T2 = 790 K
3

Apply : P2V2 = nRT2

( ) ( )
P2 2.9 × 10 − 5 = 1.16 × 10 − 2 ( 8.31)( 790)

c. Given W = − 91 J
Since the cylinder is fully covered by the insulator, no heat is
transferred thus
25
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
−4
V
Solution : 1 = 2.9 × 10 m 3
; P1 = 1.04 × 10 5
Pa; T = 314 K
c. Therefore Q= ∆U+W
0 = ∆ U + ( − 91)

d. When the gas is compressed adiabatically, it does negative

work.
work
Thus Q = ∆ U + W and Q = 0

The internal energy of the gas is increased to provide the

necessary energy to do work. Since the internal energy is
proportional to the absolute temperature hence the
temperature increases and resulting a rise in temperature.

26
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Example 15.3 :
A vessel contains an ideal diatomic gas of volume 2.0 cm3 at
pressure 100 kPa and temperature 25 °C. The gas expands
isothermally until the volume becomes 4.0 cm3. After that, it is
compressed adiabatically until the volume becomes 3.0 cm3.
a. Calculate
i. the pressure and
ii. the temperature of the gas in the final condition.
b. Sketch and label a graph of gas pressure (P) against gas volume
(V) to show how the pressure and volume changes when the
condition of the gas changes from the initial condition to final
condition.

27
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution : V1 = 2.0 × 10 − 6 m 3 ; P1 = 100 × 103 Pa; T1 = 298.15 K
V2 = 4.0 × 10 − 6 m 3 ; V3 = 3.0 × 10 − 6 m 3 ; γ = 1.40

P1 V1 P2 V2 P3 V3
T1 Isothermal T2 = T1 Adiabatic T3
Initial expansion compression Final
a. i. For the isothermal expansion,
P1V1 = P2V2
( )( )
100 × 103 2.0 × 10 − 6 = P2 4.0 × 10 − 6 ( )
P2 = 5.00 × 10 4 Pa
For the adiabatic compression,
γ γ
P2V2 = P3V3
(5.00 × 10 )( 4.0 × 10 )
4 − 6 1.40
(
= P3 3.0 × 10 )
− 6 1.40

28
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution : V1= 2.0 × 10 − 6 m 3 ; P1 = 100 × 103 Pa; T1 = 298.15 K
V2 = 4.0 × 10 − 6 m 3 ; V3 = 3.0 × 10 − 6 m 3 ; γ = 1.40
a. ii. For the isothermal expansion, the temperature along the
process remains unchanged thus
T1 = T2 = 298.15 K
For the adiabatic compression,
γ −1 γ −1
T2V2 = T3V3
( 298.15) ( 4.0 × 10 )
− 6 1.40− 1
(
= T3 3.0 × 10 )
− 6 1.40− 1

29
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution : V1= 2.0 × 10 − 6 m 3 ; P1 = 100 × 103 Pa; T1 = 298.15 K
V2 = 4.0 × 10 − 6 m 3 ; V3 = 3.0 × 10 − 6 m 3 ; γ = 1.40
b. The graph of gas pressure (P) against gas volume (V) is shown
in Figure 15.5.
P (× 10 4 Pa)

1
10.00 3
7.48

5.00 2
T3
T1
0 2.0 3.0 4.0 V (× 10 − 6 m 3 )
Figure 15.5
30
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Learning Outcome:
15.3 Thermodynamics work (2 hours)
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
¡ Derive expression for work, W = PdV ∫
¡ Determine work from the area under the p-V graph
¡ Derive the equation of work done in isothermal,
isovolumetric and isobaric processes.
¡ Calculate work done in
l isothermal process and use
l
 V2   P1 
W = nRT ln   = nRT ln  
l

l  V1   P2 
l isobaric process, use

∫ PdV = P(V − V1 )
l
W= 2
l

l W=
isovolumetric process, use ∫ PdV = 0
31
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
15.3.1 Derive expression for work, W = ∫ PdV
¡ Consider the infinitesimal work done by the gas (system) during
the small expansion, dx in a cylinder with a movable piston
as shown in Figure 15.6.
¡
¡ A
¡
Initial Gas
¡
¡
dx

¡
¡ A
¡ Final F
¡
¡ Figure 15.6
¡ Suppose that the cylinder has a cross sectional area, A and the
pressure exerted by the gas (system) at the piston face is P.
32
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
¡ The work, dW done by the gas is given by
¡ dW = Fdx cos θ where θ = 0 and F = PA
¡
dW = PAdx and Adx = dV
¡
¡
dW = PdV
¡ In a finite change of volume from V1 to V2,
V2
∫ dW = ∫
¡
PdV
V1

V2
W= ∫ V1
PdV (16.1)

where W : work done

P : gas pressure
V1 : initial volume of the gas
V2 : final volume of the gas
33
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
¡ For a change in volume at constant pressure, P
¡ W = P∆ V
W = P( V2 − V1 )
¡ Work done at constant
¡ pressure
¡ For any process in the system which the volume is constant (no
change in volume), the work done is
¡

¡ W = 0 Work done at constant

volume
¡ Figures 15.7 show the pressure, P against volume, V graph
(P−V diagram) where

Area under the P−V graph = Work done

34
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
(a) P (b) P
Simulation15.4
P1 1 P2 2

P2 2 P1 1
W> 0 W< 0
0 V1 V2 V 0 V2 V1 V
(c) P (d) P
P2 2
1 2
P1
W= 0
Figure 15.7 W = P1 (V2 − V1 ) > 0
P1 1

0 V1 V2 V 0 V1
35 V
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
15.3.2 Work done in Isothermal process
¡ From the equation of state for an ideal gas,
nRT
¡ PV = nRT then P=
V
¡ Therefore the work done in the isothermal process which
change of volume from V1 to V2, is given by
V2
W= ∫ V1
PdV
 nRT 
V2
W= ∫   dV
V1
 V 
V2  1 
W = nRT ∫   dV
V1 V
 
36
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
W = nRT [ ln V ]
V2
V1

W = nRT ( ln V2 − ln V1 )
 V2 
W = nRT ln   (15.8)
 V1 
¡ For isothermal process, the temperature of the system remains
unchanged, thus V P
¡
P1V1 = P2V2
2
= 1
V1 P2
¡ The equation (15.8) can be expressed as

 P1 
W = nRT ln   (15.9)
 P2 
37
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
¡ By applying the 1st law of thermodynamics, thus
Q= ∆U+W and ∆U = 0
Q= W
 V2   P1 
Q = nRT ln   = nRT ln  
 V1   P2 
15.3.3 Work done in isobaric
bar process
¡ The work done during the isobaric process which change of
volume from V1 to V2 is given by
V2
W= ∫
V1
PdV and P = constant

V2
W = P ∫ dV
V1 38
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
W = P(V2 − V1 )
OR

W = P∆ V (15.10)

15.3.4 Work done in Isovolumetric process

¡ Since the volume of the system in isovolumetric process remains
unchanged, thus
dV = 0
¡ Therefore the work done in the isovolumetric process is

W= ∫ PdV = 0 (15.11)

39
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Example 15.4 : P (kPa )
B C
150

100 D
A
Figure 15.8
0 V (× 10 − 2 m 3 )
2 .0 3.0
A vessel contains an ideal gas in condition A, as shown in Figure
15.8. When the condition of the gas changes from A to B, the gas
system absorbs a heat of 2.55 kJ. When the gas in condition B
changes to C, there is a heat transfer of 5.32 kJ into the gas.
Calculate
a. the work done in the process ABC,
b. the change in the internal energy of the gas in the process ABC,
c. the work done in the process CDA,
d. the total amount of heat transferred in the process
40 CDA.
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
PA = PD = 100 × 103 Pa; PB = PC = 150 × 103 Pa;
Solution :
VA = VB = 2.0 × 10 − 2 m 3 ;VD = VC = 3.0 × 10 − 2 m 3
QAB = + 2.55 × 103 J; QBC = + 5.32 × 103 J
a. The work done in the process ABC is given by
WABC = WAB + WBC but WAB = 0
WABC = PB (VC − VB )
( −2
= 150 × 10 3.0 × 10 − 2.0 × 10
3 −2
)
b. By applying the 1st law of thermodynamics for ABC, thus
QABC = ∆ U ABC + WABC
∆ U ABC = ( QAB + QBC ) − WABC
(
= 2.55 × 10 + 5.32 × 10 − 1500
3 3
)
41
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
PA = PD = 100 × 103 Pa; PB = PC = 150 × 103 Pa;
Solution :
VA = VB = 2.0 × 10 − 2 m 3 ;VD = VC = 3.0 × 10 − 2 m 3
QAB = + 2.55 × 103 J; QBC = + 5.32 × 103 J
c. The work done in the process CDA is given by
WCDA = WCD + WDA but WCD = 0
WCDA = PD (VA − VD )
( −2
= 100 × 10 2.0 × 10 − 3.0 × 10
3 −2
)
d. By applying the 1st law of thermodynamics for CDA, thus
QCDA = ∆ U CDA + WCDA and ∆ U CDA = − ∆ U ABC
QCDA = − ∆ U ABC + WCDA
= − 6370 + ( − 1000)
42
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Example 15.5 :
One mole of a monatomic ideal gas is at an initial temperature of
650 K, while the initial pressure and the initial volume are p0 and V0
respectively. At the beginning stage, the gas expands isothermally
and causes its volume to increase to 2V0. Then the gas undergoes
an isochoric process and returns to its initial pressure. Finally, the
gas is compressed at constant pressure and returns to its initial
temperature, pressure and volume.
a. Sketch a graph of pressure versus volume for the whole process.
b. By using the first law of thermodynamic, show that the total heat
for the whole process is
Q = nRT ln 2 − p0V0
where n is the number of mole, R is the molar gas constant and T
is the initial absolute temperature. Calculate the total heat for the
whole process.
c. State whether heat is absorbed or released. 43
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution : P1 = p0 ; T1 = 650 K;V1 = V0 ; n = 1;V2 = 2V0
Initial
P1 V1 P2 V2 P3 = P1 V3 = V2
T1 Isothermal T2 = T1 Isochoric T3
Final expansion process
Constant pressure compression
a. For the isothermal expansion,
Apply : P1V1 = P2V2 p0V0 = P2 2V0 ( )
P2 = 0.5 p0
For the isochoric process (constant volume),
Apply : P2 P3 0.5 p0 p0
= =
T2 T3 T1 T3
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution : P1 = p0 ; T1 = 650 K;V1 = V0 ; n = 1;V2 = 2V0
a. The graph of gas pressure (P) against gas volume (V) for the
changes described is shown in Figure 15.9.
P

1 3
p0

0.5 p0
2 T3 = 2T1
T1
0 V
V0 2V0
Figure 15.9

45
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution : P1 = p0 ; T1 = 650 K;V1 = V0 ; n = 1;V2 = 2V0
b. For the isothermal expansion,
Q12 = ∆ U12 + W12 but ∆ U12 = 0
 P1 
= 0 + nRT1 ln  
 P2 
 p0 
= nRT1 ln  
 0.5 p0 
Q12 = nRT1 ln 2
For the isochoric process,
Q23 = ∆ U 23 + W23 but W23 = 0
f 3
= nR( T3 − T2 ) Q23 = nR( 2T1 − T1 )
2 2

46
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution : P1 = p0 ; T1 = 650 K;V1 = V0 ; n = 1;V2 = 2V0
b. For the constant pressure compression process,
Q31 = ∆ U 31 + W31
3
= nR( T1 − T3 ) + P1 (V1 − V3 )
2
3
= nR( T1 − 2T1 ) + p0 (V0 − 2V0 )
2
Q31 = − 1.5nRT1 − p0V0
Therefore the total Heat, Q is given by
Q = Q12 + Q23 + Q31
= nRT1 ln 2 + 1.5nRT1 + ( − 1.5nRT1 − p0V0 )
Q = nRT1 ln 2 − p0V0
47
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution : P1 = p0 ; T1 = 650 K;V1 = V0 ; n = 1;V2 = 2V0
b. The total Heat, Q is
Q = nRT1 ln 2 − p0V0 and p0V0 = nRT1
= nRT1 ln 2 − nRT1
= nRT1 ( ln 2 − 1)
= (1)( 8.31)( 650 )( ln 2 − 1)

c. The heat is

48
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Example 15.6 :
A vessel of volume 8.00 × 10−3 m3 contains an ideal gas at a
pressure of 1.14 × 105 Pa. A stopcock in the vessel is opened and
the gas expands adiabatically, expelling some of its original mass
until its pressure is equal to that outside the vessel (1.01 × 105 Pa).
The stopcock is then closed and the vessel is allowed to stand until
the temperature returns to its original value. In this equilibrium state,
the pressure is 1.06 × 105 Pa.
a. Explain why there was a temperature change as a result of the
adiabatic expansion?
b. Calculate the volume which the mass of the gas finally left in the
vessel occupied under the original conditions.
c. What is the value of γ ?
d. What can you deduce about the molecules of the gas?

49
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution : P1 = 1.14 × 105 Pa;V1 = 8.00 × 10− 3 m 3 ;
P2 = 1.01× 105 Pa; P3 = 1.06 × 105 Pa
Initial Final
P1 V1 P2 V2 P3 V3 = V2
T1 Adiabatic T2 Isochoric
T3 = T1
expansion process

a. When the gas expands adiabatically, it does positive work.

work
Thus Q = ∆ U + W and Q = 0

The internal energy of the gas is reduced to provide the

necessary energy to do work. Since the internal energy is
proportional to the absolute temperature hence the
temperature decreases and resulting a temperature change.

50
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution : P1= 1.14 × 105 Pa;V1 = 8.00 × 10− 3 m 3 ;
P2 = 1.01× 105 Pa; P3 = 1.06 × 105 Pa
b. From the adiabatic expansion: γ
P2  V1 
γ
PV = P2V2
1 1
γ
=   (1)
P1  V2 
γ −1
γ −1 γ −1 T2  V1 
TV1 1 = T2V2 =   (2)
T1  V2 
From the isochoric (constant volume) process:
P2 P3 T2 P2
= and T3 = T1 = (3)
T2 T3 T1 P3
By substituting eq. (3) into eq. (2), γ −1
P2  V1 
=   (4)
P3  V2  51
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution : P1 = 1.14 × 105 Pa;V1 = 8.00 × 10− 3 m 3 ;
P2 = 1.01× 105 Pa; P3 = 1.06 × 105 Pa
b. (1) ÷(4) :
γ
 P2   V1 
   
 P1   V2  P3 V1
= γ −1
=
 P2   V1  P1 V2
   
 P3   V2  1.06 × 105 8.00 × 10 − 3
=
1.14 × 10 5
V2

52
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution : P1 = 1.14 × 105 Pa;V1 = 8.00 × 10− 3 m 3 ;
P2 = 1.01× 105 Pa; P3 = 1.06 × 105 Pa
c. By substituting the value of V2 into the eq. (1), therefore the
value γ is P2  V1 
ln = γ ln  
P1  V2 
 P2   1.01× 105 
ln   ln  
5 
 P1   1.14 × 10 
γ = γ =
 V1   8.00 × 10 − 3 
ln   ln  −3 

 V2   8.60 × 10 

d. The gas is
53
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Example 15.7 :
a. Write an expression representing
i. the 1st law of thermodynamics and state the meaning of all the
symbols.
ii. the work done by an ideal gas at variable pressure.
b. Sketch a graph of pressure P versus volume V of 1 mole of ideal
gas. Label and show clearly the four thermodynamics process.

c. A monatomic ideal gas at pressure P and volume V is compressed

isothermally until its new pressure is 3P. The gas is then allowed
to expand adiabatically until its new volume is 9V. If P, V and γ for
the gas is 1.2 × 105 Pa,1.0 × 10−2 m3 and 5/3 respectively, calculate
i. the final pressure of the gas.
ii. the work done on the gas during isothermal compression.
54
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution :
a. i. 1st law of thermodynamics:
Q= ∆U+W
where ∆ U : change in internal energy
Q : quantity of heat trans ferred
W : work done
ii. Work done at variable pressure:
V2  V2 
W= ∫ V1
PdV OR W = nRT ln  
 V1 
b. PV diagram below represents four thermodynamic processes:
P
Isobaric process
A E Isothermal process
PA
Isochoric T4
process D B T3
adiabatic C T2
T1
process 0 VA 55 V
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Solution :
−2 5
c. Given P = 1.2 × 10 Pa;V = 1.0 × 10 m ; γ =
5 3
= 1.67
Initial 3 Final
P V P1 = 3P P2 V2 = 9V
V1
Isothermal T1 = T
T Adiabatic
T2
compression expansion
From the isothermal compression process:
PV = P1V1
V
PV = ( 3P )V1 V1 =
3
i. By using the equation of adiabatic changes in pressure and
γ γ
volume, hence
P1V1 = P2V2
γ
 V1 
P2 = ( P1 )  
 V2  56
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
γ
Solution :
 V 
c. i.   1.67

P2 = 3(1.2 × 10 )
 1 
P2 = ( 3P )  3  5

 9V   27 
 
 
ii. The work done during the isothermal compression is
 V1 
W = nRT ln   and nRT = PV
V
V 
 
W = PV ln  3  ( )(
W = 1.2 × 10 1.0 × 10
5 −2
) 
ln 
1

V   3
 
 
57
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Exercise 15.2 :
Given R = 8.31 J mol−1 K−1
1. A vessel contains 1.20 moles of an ideal gas of volume
4.0 × 10−2 m3 at pressure 100 kPa. The gas is compressed
adiabatically until the gas temperature becomes 450 K. Determine
a. the new volume of the gas,
b. the new pressure of the gas,
(CP/CV for gas is 1.40)
ANS. : 3.00×10−2 m3;150 kPa
2. a. An ideal gas at 400 K is expanded adiabatically to 4.2 times its
original volume. Determine its resulting temperature if the gas is
i. monatomic,
ii. diatomic.
b. An ideal monatomic gas, consisting of 2.6 moles of volume
0.084 m3, expands adiabatically. The initial and final temperatures
are 25 °C and −68 °C. Calculate the final volume of the gas.
ANS. : 153 K, 225 K; 0.147 m3 58
PHYSICS CHAPTER 15
Exercise 15.2 :
Given R = 8.31 J mol−1 K−1
3. Gas within a chamber passes through the cycle shown in
Figure 15.10.
Determine the energy transferred by the
system as heat during process CA if the
energy added as heat QAB during process
AB is 20.0 J, no energy is transferred as
heat during process BC, and the nett work
done during the cycle is 15.0 J.
ANS. : −5.0 J

Figure 15.10

59
PHYSICS CHAPTER 16

THE END…
Good luck
For
1st semester examination

60