Thermodynamics in Materials Science

Homework 1

Due date: September 7, 2017

1. Heat a process variable. Either debate against or give reasons as to why you are convinced about
this statement.

2. Refer to Section 2.3.3 from text. They say that equation 2.5 which are the coefficient relations....
frequently establishes connections between variables that are not intuitively obvious. From
your knowledge of state functions and thermodynamic laws till now, give at least one example
where coefficient relations are important to thermodynamics.

3. a) Explain briefly why equation 2.6 (Maxwell relations) is necessary and sufficient for equation
2.4 to be valid. (equation numbers from text)
b) Consider the two differentials:

df1 = y(3x2 + y2)dx + x(x2 + 2y2)dy

df2 = y(3x2 + y)dx + x(x2 + 2y)dy

Integrate them between the points x=0, y=0 and x=1, y=1, along the path y=x and along y=x2.
Which of the two differentials is an exact differential?
c) Write in one line the physical significance or learning from the above exercise.
d) After finding the answer, mathematically prove that the function is an exact differential.

4. Give five examples of the operation of the second law of thermodynamics in your daily
experience. Try to think of novel phenomena, not mentioned in the text.

5. Contrast the relative magnitudes of the entropy transfer vs. entropy production in the following
processes: Consider same initial conditions.

a) A thermally insulated container has two compartments of equal size. Initially one side is filled
with a gas and the other is evacuated. A valve is opened and the gas expands to fill both
compartments.
b) A gas contained in a steel cylinder is slowly expanded to twice its volume.

6. Give three examples of processes which are important in materials science, that are
thermodynamically irreversible. Speculate briefly about the nature of the dissipations in these
processes that contribute to the production of entropy.
7. An ideal gas is used as the work substance for a heat engine cycle shown in the Temperature-
versus-Volume diagram. The gas is compressed adiabatically from 6.40 l at C to 3.90 l at A. The
gas then expands isothermally at 250 K while it does external work between A to B. The gas is
then cooled at a constant volume between B and C. If there is 9.80 moles of ideal diatomic gas for
which cv = 5/2 R and cp = 7/2 R:
 a) Sketch this cyclic process on a P-versus-V diagram, and determine the gas' pressure at the
point A, B, and C. Also, determine the lowest temperature that the gas reaches.
b) Calculate the heat flow during all portion of the cycle, and the net heat absorbed by the
engine
c) Calculate the external work done by the engine during the AB portion of the cycle and the
work done on the gas to compress it adiabatically from C back to its pressure and temperature
A. What is the net work done the engine each cycle?

8. Special Question:

Do a literature search and find a recent paper (from 2016,2017) that applies thermodynamics
in order to solve an interesting problem in materials science. The paper may or may not be
related to your current research. Read the paper, and write a summary. Include the summary in the
HW solutions file. The report should have proper bibliographic information.