Lesson 3 – Specific Heat of an Ideal Gas
The specific heat (c) of a substance is defined as the quantity of heat required to
change the temperature of unit mass through one degree.
In dimensional form,
ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 (𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠)
c (𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠)(𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒)
In differential quantities,
dQ
c = mdT or dQ = mcdT
and for a particular mass m,
2
Q = m∫1 𝑐𝑑𝑇
(The specific heat equation)
If the mean or instantaneous value of specific heat is used,
2
Q = mc∫1 𝑑𝑇 = mc (T2 –T1)
(constant specific heat)
For constant volume specific heat (cv)
Qv = ∆U
Qv = mcv (T2-T1)
For constant pressure specific heat (cp)
Qp = mcp(T2-T1)
2
Qp = ∆U + Wn = ∆U + ∫1 pdV
Qp = ∆U + p(𝑉2 − 𝑉1 )
Qp = U2 – U1 + p2V2 – p1V1
Qp = H2 – H1 = ∆H
Ratio of specific heats (k)
𝐜𝐩
k =𝐜 > 𝟏
𝐯
Relation between cp and cv
From h = u + pv and pv = RT
dh = du + RdT
cpdT = cvdT + RdT
cp = cv + R
𝐑
cv = 𝐤−𝟏
𝐤𝐑
cp = 𝐤−𝟏
̅
R
where R is the specific gas constant from which, R = M, where R̅ is the universal gas
constant and M is the molecular mass of a gas.
Lesson 4 – Internal Energy, Enthalpy and Entropy of an Ideal Gas
Internal Energy of an Ideal Gas
According to Joule’s Law, “the change of internal energy of an ideal gas is a
function of only the temperature change.” Thus, the change in internal
energy, ΔU is,
ΔU =mcv(T2-T1)
whether the volume remains constant or not
Enthalpy of an Ideal Gas
The change of enthalpy of an ideal gas is given by, ΔH
ΔH =mcp(T2-T1)
whether the pressure remains constant or not
Entropy
Entropy is that property of a substance which remains constant if no heat
enters or leaves the substance, while it does work or alters its volume, but which
increases or diminishes should a small amount of heat enter or leave.
The change of entropy of a substance receiving (or delivering) heat is given by,
ΔS
𝑑𝑄
ΔS = 𝑇
𝑑𝑄
ΔS = ∫
𝑇
𝑇 𝑚𝑐 𝑑𝑇
ΔS = ∫𝑇 2
1 𝑇
𝑇 𝑑𝑇
ΔS = 𝑚𝑐 ∫𝑇 2
1 𝑇
ΔS = [𝑚𝑐 𝑙𝑛𝑇] 𝑇𝑇2 = mc ln (T2-T1)
1
ΔS = mc ln (T2-T1)
Example 1:
Ammonia (NH3) has k = 1.304, determine R, cv and cp in kJ/kg-K and BTU/lb-0R
Given: k= 1.304
Required: R, cv and cp
Solution:
For ammonia (NH3), the molecular mass is 17.024 g/mol. (N = 14g/mol and H 3 =
3x1.008 = 3.024g/mol, thus
a) solving for R
8.314𝐽
̅
R
R= = 𝑚𝑜𝑙−𝐾
M 17.024𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
R = 0.48836 J/g-K = 0.48836 kJ/kg-K
b) solving for cv
R 0.48836 kJ/kg−K
cv = k−1 = 1.304−1
cv = 1.606 kJ/kg-K
c) solving for cp
kR (1.304)(0.48836 KJ/kg−K)
cp = =
k−1 1.304−1
cp = 2.095 kJ/kg-K
In BTU/lb-0R, take note of the following conversion factor:
since 1 kJ/kg-K = 0.2388 BTU/lb-0R
BTU
kJ 0.2388 0
a) R = 0.48836 x 1KJ
lb R
kg−K
kg−K
R = 0.1166 BTU/lb-0R
BTU
kJ 0.2388 0
b) cv = 1.606 x lb R
1kJ
kg−K
kg−K
cv = 0.3835 BTU/lb-0R
BTU
kJ 0.2388 0
c) cp = 2.095 x lb R
1kJ
kg−K
kg−K
cp = 0.5 BTU/lb-0R
Example 2:
A cylindrical gas with a total capacity of 100Liters initially contains 800 g of an
ideal gas (R=280 J/kg-K) at a pressure of 650 KPa. A leak occurred in the tank
that allowed 500 g of the gas to escape. As a result of the leak, the temperature
of the gas was decreased to 285K, find: a) the initial temperature of the gas and
b) the final pressure immediately after the leak.
Given: m1 =initial mass of the gas
= 800 g = 0.8kg
P1 = initial pressure of the gas
= 650 kPa
V1 = V2 = 100L
V1 = V2 = 0.1m3
T1 = initial temperature of the gas
m2 = final mass of the gas
P2 = final pressure of the gas
T2 = final temperature of the gas
= 285 K
R = 280 J/kg-K =0.28kJ/kg-K
Required: T1 and P2
Solution: PV =mRT
a) Considering the initial condition, P1V1=m1RT1
(650 kPa) (0.1m3) = 0.8kg(0.28 kJ/kg-K) T1
T1 = 290.18 K
b) solving for the final pressure, P2
since there are 500 g of this gas that escaped during the leak, then
m2 = 300g or 0.3kg basing from the final condition, P2V2 = m2RT2 and V1=V2
(P2) (0.1m3) = 0.3kg (0.28kJ/kg-K) (285K)
P2 = 239.4 KPa
Example 3:
For a certain gas, R=0.32kJ/kg-K and cv=0.84kJ/kg-K a) Find cp and k. b) If 5 kg
of this gas undergo a reversible non-flow constant pressure process from V1
=1.133m3 and P1= 690 kPa to a state where t2=5550C, find ΔU and ΔH.
Given: R=0.32kJ/kg-K
cv=0.84kJ/kg-K
m= 5kg
V1 = 1.133m3
P1 = 690 kPa
T2 = 5550C+273 = 828K
Required: a) cp and k
b) ΔU and ΔH
Solution:
a) solving for cp and k
c p = cv + R
= (0.84kJ/kg-K) +(0.32kJ/kg-K)
cp = 1.16 kJ/kg-K
R 0.32
k= +1 = +1
cv 0.84
k = 1.381
b) solving for ΔU and ΔH
ΔU = mcv(T2-T1)
Solving for T1 using P1V1=m1RT1
690 kPa(1.133m3) = 5kg (0.32kJ/kg-K) (T1)
T1 = 488.61 K
ΔU = 5kg(0.84kJ/kg-K) (828-488.61) K
ΔU = 1425.44 kJ
ΔH = mcp(T2-T1)
= 5kg(1.16kJ/kg-K) (828-488.61) K
ΔH = 1968.46 kJ
Example 4:
For a certain ideal gas, R=25.8 Ft-lb/lb oR and k=1.09 a) What are the values of
cp and cv? b) What mass of this gas would occupy a volume of 15 cubic feet at 75
psia and 80oF? c) If 30 BTU are transferred to this gas at constant volume in b),
what are the resulting temperature and pressure?
Given: R=25.8 Ft-lb/lb oR
k =1.09
V = 15ft3
P1 = 75 psia
T1 = 80 + 460
= 540 oR
Q = 30 BTU
Required: a) cp and cv
b) mass
c) T2 and P2
Solution:
a) Solving for cp and cv
kR (1.09)(25.8)
cp = =
k−1 1.09−1
𝒇𝒕−𝒍𝒃
cp = 312.47 𝒍𝒃−𝑹
or 0.4016 BTU/lb-oR
cp 0.4016
cv = =
k 1.09
cv = 0.3685 BTU/lb-oR
b) Solving for mass, m
PV = mRT
𝑃𝑉 (75)(144)(15)
m= =
𝑅𝑇 (25.8)(540)
m = 11.627 lb
c) Solving for T2 and P2
For constant volume,
Q = mcv (T2-T1)
30 BTU = 11.627 lb (0.3685 BTU/lb-oR)(T2 – 540)oR
T2 = 547oR
Again, for constant volume,
𝑃2 𝑇2
=
𝑃1 𝑇1
P2 547 R
=
75 psia 540 R
P2 = 75.97 psia
Example 5:
For a certain gas, R=0.277 KJ/kg-K and k = 1.384. a) What are the value of cp
and cv? b) What mass of this gas would occupy a volume of 0.425 m 3 at 517.11
KPa and 26.7 0C? c) If 31.65 KJ are transferred to this gas at constant volume in
b), what are the resulting temperature and pressure?
Given: R= 0.277 KJ/kg-K
k =1.384
V = 0.425m3
P1 = 517.11 KPa
T1 = 26.7 + 273
= 299.7 K
Q = 31.65 KJ
Required: a) cp and cv
b) mass
c) T2 and P2
Solution:
a) Solving for cp and cv
kR (1.384)(0.277𝐾𝐽/𝑘𝑔 −𝐾)
cp = =
k−1 1.384−1
cp = 0.9984 KJ/kg-K
𝑅 (0.277𝐾𝐽/𝑘𝑔 −𝐾)
cv = 𝑘−1 = 1.384−1
cv = 0.7214 KJ/kg-K
b) Solving for mass, m
PV = mRT
𝐾𝑁
𝑃𝑉 (517.11 )(0.425𝑚3 )
𝑚2
m= = 𝐾𝑁−𝑚
𝑅𝑇 (0.277 𝑘𝑔−𝐾 )(299.7𝐾)
m = 2.647 kg
c) Solving for T2 and P2
For constant volume,
Q = mcv (T2-T1)
31.65 KJ = 2.647kg (0.7214KJ/kg-K)(T2 – 299.7)K
T2 = 316.27 K
t2 = 43.270C
Again, for constant volume,
𝑃2 𝑇2
=
𝑃1 𝑇1
P2 316.27K
=
517.11 𝐾𝑃𝑎 299.7K
P2 = 545.7 KPa
