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HW #1
Problem : 1 - Mass, Force, Density and Acceleration - 4 pts 6-Apr-11
A closed system consists of 0.5 lbmole of liquid water and occupies a volume of 0.145 ft3. Determine the weight of the system, in lbf, and
the average density, in lbm/ft3, at a location where the acceleration of gravity is g = 30.5 ft/s2.
Read : The key ideas here are the meaning of lbmole, the use of gc in Newton's 2nd Law of Motion and the definition of density.
Diagram : None.
Solution :
Part a.) The key here is the ralationship between mass and force, in this case weight, given by Newton's 2nd Law of Motion.
gc F m a Eqn 1 gc W m g Eqn 2
g
Wm Eqn 3
gc
The next step in determining the weight of the water is to convert from the given number of moles to mass using:
m n MW Eqn 4
Now, we can plug values into Eqn 3 to evaluate the weight of the water.
W 8.539 lbf
m
Eqn 5
V
Since we determined m in part (a) and the volume of the water was given, all we need to do is plug values into Eqn 5.
62.12 lbm/ft3
Verify : None of the assumptions made in the solution of this problem can be verified based on the given information.
A man weighs 210 lbf at a location where g = 32.10 ft/s2. Determine his weight on the moon where g = 5.47 ft/s2.
Read : The keys to this problem are to understand that mass does not depend on location, but weight does and how to apply
Newton's 2nd Law of Motion.
2
Given : W Earth 210 lbf gmoon 5.47 ft/s
2
gearth 32.10 ft/s gc 32.174 ft-lbm/lbf-s2
Diagram : None.
Assumptions: None.
Solution : The key here is the ralationship between mass and force, in this case weight, given by Newton's 2nd Law of Motion.
gc F m a Eqn 1 gc W m a Eqn 2
We can now apply Eqn 2 to the object when it is on the moon and again to the object when it is on the surface of the Earth.
The key is that gc and the mass of the object are constants. So, if we take the ratio of Eqn 3 to
Eqn 4, these terms will cancel !
g c Wmoon m g moon
Eqn 5
g c WEarth m g Earth
Wmoon g
This leaves us with : moon Eqn 6
WEarth g Earth
g moon
Wmoon WEarth Eqn 7
g Earth
Plugging values into Eqn 7 yields : Wmoon 35.79 lbf
Verify : None.
Assumptions: None.
Solution :
Part a.) The only unit we need to convert in this part is the temperature unit. We need to get from oC to Kelvins. This is an easy one
since a change in T of 1o Celsius is the same as a change in T of 1o Kelvin. So, here is the conversion factor.
o
1 C = 1 K Eqn 1
kJ 1C
CP = 1.005 ⋅ Eqn 2
kg ⋅ C 1 K
CP 1.005 kJ/kg-K
Part b.) In this part, we need to convert units of both energy and mass. We need to get from kJ to J and from kg to g. Here are the
conversion factors.
1 kJ = 1000 J Eqn 3
1 kg = 1000 g Eqn 4
kJ 1 kg 1000 J
CP = 1.005 ⋅ ⋅ Eqn 5
kg ⋅ C 1000 g 1 kJ
CP 1.005 J/g-oC
kJ 1kcal
CP = 1.005 ⋅ Eqn 7
kg ⋅ C 4.184 kJ
CP 0.2402 kcal/kg-oC
Part d.) In this part, we need to converat all three units from SI to AE. Here are the conversion factors.
kJ 1 kg 0.94782 Btu 1 C
CP = 1.005 ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ Eqn 11
kg ⋅ C 2.2046 lbm 1 kJ 1.8 F
CP 0.2400 Btu/lbm-oF
Verify : None.
Assumptions: None.
Solution :
Part a.) The key here is the relationship between the Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales.
T o F T o C 1.8 32 Eqn 1
o
T F 150
o o
C 1.8 o
F
C
32 o F T= 302 o
F
Part b.) There are seveal ways to solve this part of the problem.
One is to use the relationship between the Fahrenheit and Rankine temperature scales.
o
T o
R T F 1
o
o
R
F
459.67 o R Eqn 2
Verify : None.
Read : It is very important to understand that a change in temperature is not the same as a value of the temperature. It seems
obvious, but it is common point of confusion.
Given : T 10 oF
Assumptions: None.
Solution :
Part a.) A change in temperature of 1 oC is equal to a change in temperature of 1.8oF.
Ratio = 1.8 oF / oC
10F
Therefore : DT = Eqn 1
1.8 F / C
T 5.56 o
C
Part c.) One way to do this part of the problem is to use the result from part (b) and the converion factor for Kelvins and degrees
Rankine.
RatioRK = 1.8 oR / K
o
T o
R T K 1.8
R
K
Eqn 3
Of course, it would be even easier to recognize that a change in temperature of 1 oF is exactly the same as a change in
temperature of 1 oR.
o
T F T
o o
R 1 o
F
R
Eqn 4
Verify : None.
h2 =
4
3
Read : This problem requires the careful application of the Manometer Equation.
By working from one pipe to the other we can determine the difference in the pressure between the two pipes.
The key is that none of the fluid in the manometer tubes is moving.
Solution : Let's use the Manometer Equation to work our way around from the seawater pipe to the fresh water pipe.
g
PSW P1 SW h Eqn 1
gc 4
Because the density of air is three orders of magnitude smaller than the density of liquid water or mercury :
P2 P1 Eqn 2
g
P3 P2 Hg h Eqn 3
gc 2
Because the elevation at points 3 and 4 is the same, the manometer fluid is not moving and points
3 and 4 are connected by a tube filled with mercury only: P4 = P3.
g
P4 PFW FW h Eqn 4
gc 1
g
PSW P2 SW h Eqn 5
gc 4
g g
P2 P3 Hg h P4 Hg h Eqn 6
gc 2 gc 2
g g
PSW P4 Hg h 2 SW h Eqn 7
gc gc 4
g
g g
PSW PFW FW h1 Hg h 2 SW h Eqn 8
gc
gc gc 4
g g g
PSW PFW FW h Hg h SW h Eqn 9
gc 1 gc 2 gc 4
Now, we can plug values into Eqn 9 to complete the solution of this problem.
2
PSW-PFW -3383 N/m PSW-PFW -3.383 kPa
Verify : None of the assumptions made in the solution of this problem can be verified based on the given information.
Answers : PSW-PFW -3.38 kPa
Could you have guessed just by looking at the fluid levels and fluid densities where the pressure was higher, in the fresh or salt
water pipe ? I could have. Think about it. Look at the diagram and the equations.
3
2
Solution : Let's use the Manometer Equation to work our way around from point 1 on the diagram all the
way to the inside of tank A.
Because the manometer tube is open at the end, P1 = Patm. P1 101 kPa
g
P2 P1 Hg h Eqn 2
gc
Because the elevation at points 2 and 3 is the same, the manometer fluid is not moving and points 2 and 3 are connected by a
tube filled with mercury only: P3 = P2.
g
PB Patm Hg h Eqn 3
gc
PB 127.66 kPa
But in this problem the pressure on the outside of the gauge is not atmospheric, but PB instead. Also, the Pabs that we are
looking for here is PA. As a result, the form of Eqn 5 that we need to use here is :
PA PA ,gauge PB Eqn 6
100 kPa
PA 1.4bar 127.66kPa PA 267.66 kPa
1bar
Verify : None of the assumptions made in the solution of this problem can be verified based on the given information.
Read : This problem is designed to test how well you understand how to use tables of thermodynamic properties.
It also tests your understanding and ability to use quality, x.
Finally, it makes you think about the relationship between the data tables and the physical system (phases) that they represent.
Given : Two pieces of data for each part, (a) through (e).
Find : Complete the table.
Assumptions: The system is in an equilibrium state.
Solution :
Part a.) Since we are given the quality, x = 0.7, we know that vapor and liquid are both present in the system at equilibrium.
Because both vapor and liquid are present at equailibrium, the temperature must be equal to the saturation temperature at P =
200 kPa. We can find this temperature in the Saturation Pressure Table of the steam tables.
ˆ H ˆ H
ˆ the system contains a saturated mixture and the pressure must be equal to the
Since :
H sat sat
liq vap saturation pressure.
ˆ H
H ˆ
x
sat liq
Eqn 2
ˆ
H H ˆ
sat vap sat liq
Part d.) Here we are given both the T and P. Let's use the given P, and the Saturation Pressure table, to determine the Tsat associated
with P. Then, we can determine the phases present by comparing the given T to Tsat(P).
Tsat(500 kPa) = 151.83 oC
Since T = 80oC is less than Tsat, we can conclude that the sytem contains a subcooled or compressed liquid. The quality is
undefined ! So, we need to look at the Subcooled Liquid tables.
Here things get a bit difficult because the first pressure table in the Subcooled Liquid tables is associated with 5 MPa. Our given
P of 500 kPa is less than this value, so it seems we do not have 2 values to interpolate between to determine H.
This is not true. It just means that we must interpolate between the saturated liquid state at T = 80oC and the subcooled liquid
state at 80oC and 5 MPa. Here is the relevant data from the Steam Tables, arranged in a convenient way.
Temp. Pressure H
(oC) (kPa) (kJ/kg)
80 47.414 335.02 (saturated liquid)
80 500 ??? (subcooled liquid)
80 5000 338.96 (subcooled liquid)
Now, we can determine H from this table by interpolation. H 335.38 kJ/kg
Part e.) The first step here is to use the given P to obtain data from the Saturation Pressure table.
This will allow us to compare the given value of H to the values of Hsat liq and Hsat vap in order to determine the phase or phases
present in the system at equilibrium.
Here is the relevant data : Pressure Temp. H (kJ/kg)
(kPa) (oC) Sat. Liq Sat. Vap
H 3162.2 kJ/kg 800 170.41 720.87 2768.3
ˆ H
ˆ the system contains a superheated vapor, quality is undefined and we must use the
H sat Superheated Vapor Table to determine T.
Since : vap
We are fortunate that one of the Superheated Steam tables is associated with a P of 800 kPa.
Pressure Temp. H
(kPa) (oC) (kJ/kg)
800 300 3056.9
800 350 3162.2 T 350 oC
800 400 3267.7
Verify : None of the assumptions made in the solution of this problem can be verified based on the given information.
Answers : T (oC) P (kPa) H (kJ/kg) x (kg vap/kg) Phase Description
120.21 200 2045.82 0.7 Sat'd Mixture (VLE)
140 361.53 1800 0.565 Sat'd Mixture (VLE)
177.66 950 752.74 0 Sat'd Liquid
80 500 335.38 N/A Subcooled Liquid
350 800 3162.2 N/A Superheated Vapor
Read : This problem is designed to test how well you understand how to use tables of thermodynamic properties.
It also tests your understanding and ability to use quality, x.
Finally, it makes you think about the relationship between the data tables and the physical system (phases) that they represent.
Given : Two pieces of data for each part, (a) through (e).
Find : Complete the table.
Assumptions: The system is in an equilibrium state.
Solution :
Part a.) P 80 psia H 78 Btu/lbm
The first step here is to use the given P to obtain data from the Saturation Pressure table.
This will allow us to compare the given value of H to the values of Hsat liq and Hsat vap in order to determine the phase or phases
present in the system at equilibrium.
Here is the relevant data : Pressure Temp. H (Btu/lbm)
(psia) (oF) Sat. Liq Sat. Vap
80 65.89 33.394 112.20
ˆ H ˆ H
ˆ the system contains a saturated mixture and the temperature must be equal to the
H sat sat
Since : liq vap
saturation temperature.
T = Tsat 65.89 oF
Last, we must use the given value of the enthalpy to determine the quality of the water in the system. The key equation is:
ˆ H
H ˆ
x
sat liq
Eqn 1
ˆ
H H ˆ
sat vap sat liq
o
Part b.) T 15 F x 0.6 lbm vap/lbm
Because the quality lies between 0 and 1, we immediately know the system contains a saturated
mixture.
This tells us that T = Tsat = 15oF (given) and P = Psat .
So, we can look up 15oF in the Saturation Temperature table.
Here is the relevant data : Temp. Pressure H (Btu/lbm)
(oF) (psia) Sat. Liq Sat. Vap
15 29.759 16.889 105.27
P = Psat 29.76 psia
Because both saturated liquid and saturated vapor are present in the system at equilibrium, we must use the quality to evaluate the
overall average specific internal energy, as follows.
The key equation that relates the specific internal energy of the system to the specific internal energy of the saturated liquid and of
the saturated vapor is:
Since T = 10oF is less than Tsat, we can conclude that the sytem contains a subcooled or compressed liquid. The quality is undefined
! So, we need to look at the Subcooled Liquid tables.
Here things get a bit difficult because (1) CB did not give you a subcooled liquid table for R-134a and (2) the first pressure table in the
LT Subcooled Liquid tables is associated with 100 psia. Our given P of 70 psia is less than this value, so it seems we do not have 2
values to interpolate between to determine H.
This is not true. It just means that we must interpolate between the saturated liquid state at T = 10oF and the subcooled liquid state
at 10oF and 100 psia. Here is the relevant data from the R-134a Tables, arranged in a convenient way.
Temp. Pressure H
(oF) (psia) (Btu/lbm)
10 26.646 15.259 (saturated liquid)
10 70 ??? (subcooled liquid)
10 100 15.169 (subcooled liquid)
Now, we can determine H from this table by interpolation.
H 15.21 Btu/lbm
Part d.) P 180 psia H 129.46 Btu/lbm
The first step here is to use the given P to obtain data from the Saturation Pressure table.
This will allow us to compare the given value of H to the values of Hsat liq and Hsat vap in order to determine the phase or phases
present in the system at equilibrium.
Here is the relevant data : Pressure Temp. H (Btu/lbm)
(psia) (oF) Sat. Liq Sat. Vap
180 117.69 51.497 117.96
ˆ H
H ˆ the system contains a superheated vapor, quality is undefined and we must use the
sat
Since : vap Superheated Vapor Table to determine T.
We are amazingly fortunate that one of the Superheated R-134a tables is associated with a P of 180 psia and H = 129.46 Btu/lbm at
T = 160oF !
o
T 160 F
o
Part e.) T 110 F x 1.0 lbm vap/lbm
Because the quality is 1.0, we immediately know the system contains a saturated vapor.
This tells us that T = Tsat = 100oF (given), H = Hsat vap and P = Psat .
So, we can look up 110oF in the Saturation Temperature table.
Answers : T P H x
(oF) (psia) (Btu/lbm) (lbm vap/lbm) Phase Description
65.89 80 78 0.566 Sat'd Mixture (VLE)
15 29.76 69.92 0.6 Sat'd Mixture (VLE)
10 70 15.21 N/A Subcooled Liquid
160 180 224 N/A Superheated Vapor
110 161.07 117.23 1.0 Saturated Vapor
Read : The key to this problem is that the mass of R-134a inside the cylinder remains constant.
The initial state of the R-134a is fixed because we know both T1 and x1. This will allow us to determine the specific volume and
then the total volume in the initial state.
We can then determine the total volume and specific volume in the final state.
Once we know the total volume in the final state, we can use the spring constant to determine P2.
Finally, knowing P2 and V2, we will be able to determine all the other intensive properties for state 2, including T2 and H2 that we
need to answer the question.
o
Find : T2 ??? F
Assumptions: - Both the initial and final states are equilibrium states.
Solution : Lets begin by determining the total volume of the R-134a in the initial state.
We know the mass, so if we can determine the specific volume, we ˆ
can determine the total volume using: V1 = m ⋅ V 1
Eqn 1
We can determine the initial specific volume because we know both T1 and x1.
Here is the relevant data from the Saturation
Temperature table for R-134a. Temp. Pressure V (ft3/lbm)
(oF) (psia) Sat. Liq Sat. Vap
sat x Vsat 1 x Vsat
ˆ
V ˆ ˆ
Eqn 2 30 40.813 0.01234 1.153
mix vap liq
Fspring k ⋅ (h2 - h1 )
P2 = P1 + = P1 + Eqn 3
A cross A cross
p 2 V
Where : A cross = D Eqn 4 h= Eqn 5
4 A cross
We don't how much force the spring exerts on the piston in the initial state, but that is not a problem. What we need to know is
how much additional force the spring exerts on the pistons as the R-134a expands.
2
Plugging values into Eqns 4, 5 & 3 yields : Across 0.7854 ft
2
1 ft 12 in 113.1 in
1 ft2 = 144 in2 h1 2.83 in
h2 3.96 in
Be very careful with ft and in units when using Eqn 3 ! P2 41.18 psia
Here is the relevant data from the Saturation Pressure Temp. V (ft3/lbm)
Temperature table for R-134a. (psia) (oF) Sat. Liq Sat. Vap
40 29.01 0.01232 1.1760
45 34.86 0.01242 1.0497
Since V2 is greater than Vsat vap even at the lower P of 10 psia, we can conclude that the R-134a is a superheated vapor in the
final state. So, we need to look at the Superheated table for R-134a.
Because there is no table for 11.29 psia in the Superheated R-134a table and our value of V2, 4.965 ft3/lbm, does not appear in
both the 10 psia and 15 psia tables, double interpolation is required to solve this problem.
Verify : None.
Answers : T2 76.7 o
F H2 117.3 Btu/lbm
Notes: The reason I changed T1 from -30oF to +30oF was to reduce the error that is an unavoidable problem in all interpolations, but
especially in double interpolations.
o
The correct answers for this problem using T1 = 30oF are: T2 79.08 F
H2 117.72 Btu/lbm
As you can see, the errors due to interpolation are significant, but not disasterous.
If we had used T1 = -30oF, the errors would have been disasterous !
Read : The keys to this problem are that the process is isobaric and that the cylinder is a closed system. The mass in the system is the
same in the initial and final states.
We can determine the mass of water in the system in the initial state using the given T, P and V.
Because the process is isobaric, state 2 is a saturated vapor at 300 kPa and we can lookup all of its properties in the saturation
pressure table.
o
Find : a.) T1 ??? C
b.) m ??? kg
c.) V2 ??? m3
d.) Construct a fully labeled PV diagram of this process.
Diagram :
2
1
P1, V1, T1
Isobaric P2 = P1
Heating V2 > V1
T2 > T1
Solution :
Part a.) In the initial state, liquid and vapor exist in equilibrium at 600 kPa. Therefore the initial temperature must be equal to the saturation
temperature at 600 kPa. We can look this value up in the saturated steam pressure table.
We can look up the specific volumes of the saturated liquid and saturated vapor in the saturated steam pressure table and then
use Eqns 1 & 2 to determine the mass o f each phase in the initial state.
V2 msat vap V
ˆ
2 Eqn 3 V2 0.35212 m3/kg
V2 2.603 m3
Part d.)
Verify : None of the assumptions made in the solution of this problem can be verified based on the given information.
Answers : T1 o
a.) 158.83 C
b.) m 7.39 kg
c.) V2 2.60 m3
Read : Parts (a) and (b) are just a review of how to use thermodynamic data tables.
The key is to use the given volume and mass to calculate the overal specific volume.
Part (c) requires you to USE the liquid specific volume and vapor specific volume to determine how much of the mass is in the
liquid and vapor phases.
Given : Vtotal 0.5 m3 T -20 o
C
mtotal 10 kg
Find : a.) P ??? kPa
b.) Utotal ??? kJ
c.) Vliq ??? m3
Assumptions : - The system exists in an equilibrium state.
Solution :
Part a.) We know T, but we need to know the values of 2 intensive variables.
So, lets use V and m to calculate the overall specific volume.
Vtotal
V̂ Eqn 1 V 0.05 m3/kg
m total
Next, we neeed to use the given T to obtain data from the Saturation Temperature table.
This will allow us to compare the given value of H to the values of Hsat liq and Hsat vap in order to determine the phase or phases
present in the system at equilibrium.
ˆ Vˆ V
ˆ the system contains a saturated mixture and the pressure must be equal to the
Since : Vsat sat saturation pressure.
liq vap
U total m total U
ˆ Eqn 2
We could determine the specific internal energy using the following equation, if we only knew the quality !
We can determine the quality from the specific volume of the mixture using :
ˆ V
V ˆ
x
sat liq
Eqn 4
ˆ
V V
sat vap
ˆ
sat liq
x 0.3361 kg vap/kg
U 90.42 kJ/kg Utotal 904.2 kJ
Now, we can plug values into Eqns 6 & 5, in that order, to complete the solution of this problem.
3
msat liq 6.639 kg Vsat liq 4.8873E-03 m
4.887 L
Verify : None of the assumptions made in the solution of this problem can be verified based on the given
information.
Answers : a.) P 132.8 kPa
b.) Utotal 904 kJ
c.) Vliq 4.887 L
Solution : The first thing we need to do is determine the number of moles of air initially inside the tire. We can use the Ideal Gas EOS
Part a.) directly because we were given the values of P1, V and T1 in the problem statement. Be sure to use the absolute pressure !
PV
PV nRT Eqn 1 n Eqn 2
RT
No air leaves the tire during the heating process, so : n1 = n2 = 3.126 moles
Now, we know n2, V, T2, so we can apply the Ideal Gas EOS to state 2 (at the end of the heating process) to determine P2.
n 2 R T2
P2 Eqn 3 P2 336.0 kPa
V
The rise in pressure for the heating process is: P2 - P1 26.0 kPa
Part b.) Lets start by determining the mass of air initially inside the tire. We know the number of moles and the MW of air, so this
should not be too difficult.
m = n * MW Eqn 4 m1 90.67 g
Next, lets determine how many moles of air must be in the tire at 50oC when the pressure is 210 kPa (gauge). This is the final
state, state 3. We can do this by applying Eqn 2 to state 3.
n3 2.885 moles
Next, we apply Eqn 4 to determine the mass of air in the tire in state 3. m3 83.65 g
Now, we can determine the mass of air that must be bled off from the tire and the volume this air would occupy at ambient T
and P.
Now, we can solve Eqn 1 for V to determine the volume that the air removed from the tire would occupy at 100 kPa and 25oC.
Vamb
n 2 n 3 R Tamb
Eqn 6 Vamb 6.00 L
Pamb
A 0.016773 m3 tank contains 1 kg of R-134a at 110oC. Determine the pressure of the refrigerant using:
Given : m 1 kg Tc 374.25 K
o
T 110 C Pc 4.067E+06 Pa
383.15 K 0.32684
3
V 0.016773 m MW 102.03 g / mol
R 8.314 J/mol-K
RT
Solve Eqn 1 for pressure : P Eqn 2
V
We must determine the molar volume before we can use Eqn 2 to answer the question.
Part b.) Compressibility EOS : Given TR and the ideal reduced molar volume, use the compressibility charts to evaluate either PR or
the compressibility, Z
PV T
Z Eqn 5 TR Eqn 6
RT Tc
V
Definition of the ideal reduced molar volume : ideal
V Eqn 7
R
R Tc / Pc
PR 0.39 Z 0.865
P
We can use the definition of PR to calculate P : PR
Pc
Eqn 8
P PR Pc
Eqn 9
Plugging values into Eqn 9 yields : P 1586 kPa
RT IG
Or, we can use Z and its definition to determine P : PZ ZV Eqn 10
V
Because T > Tc, the properties of the R-134a in the tank must be obtained from the superheated vapor table, even though the
water is actually a supercritical fluid in this system.
At this point we can make use of the fact that we have a pretty good idea of what the actual pressure is in the tank (from parts a-d)
or we can scan the superheated vapor tables to determine which two pressures bracket our known value of the specific volume.
RT a
Part d.) van der Waal EOS : P 2
Vb V Eqn 12
We can determine the values of a and b, which are constants that depend only on the chemical species in the system, from the
following equations.
27 R 2 Tc2 b
R Tc
a Eqn 13 Eqn 14
64 Pc 8 Pc
2 6 3
a 1.0043 Pa-mol /m b 9.56E-05 m /mol
Now, we can plug the constants a and b into Eqn 12 to determine the pressure.
P 1629 kPa
RT a
P
Part e.) Soave-Redlich-Kwong EOS : Vb V
V
b Eqn 15
We can determine the values of a, b and , which are constants that depend only on the chemical species in the system, from the
following equations.
R 2 Tc2 R Tc
a 0.42748 Eqn 16 b 0.08664 Eqn 17
Pc Pc
2
1 m 1 TR
T
Eqn 18 TR Eqn 19
Tc
Answers : P (kPa)
a.) The Ideal Gas EOS 1861
b.) The Compressibility Factor EOS 1586
c.) The R-134a Tables 1600
d.) The van der Waal EOS 1629
e.) The Soave-Redlich-Kwong EOS 1610
Read : The key to this problem is to assume that the glasses are at 10oC when they come in from the outdoors and to recognize that if
the dew point of the indoor air is GREATER THAN 10oC, then when the humid air hits the cold glasses, water will condense
onto the glasses and they will "fog". Since the glasses did not actually fog, we know that the dew point temperature of the
humid air in the house is LESS THAN 10oC. So, we can calculate Tdew of indoor air at hr = 55% and compare to 10oC to see
if the 55% relative humidity is possibly correct in light of the fact that the glasses did not fog.
Tin o
Given : 20 C
Tout o
10 C
hr 55%
Find : Can the humidity gauge be correct if the glasses do not fog ?
Assumptions : 1- The humid air behaves as an ideal gas.
2- The glasses are at a temperature of 10oC when they enter the house.
Solution : The water in the humid air in the house will condense on the glasses if 10oC is less than or equal to the dew point temperature
of the air in the house.
So, we can determine whether the humidity gauge is correct by comparing the dew point of the humid air in the house to 10oC.
If Tdew > 10oC, then the glasses SHOULD have fogged and we can conclude that the humidity gauge is not correct. If Tdew <
10oC then we cannot determine whether the humidity gauge is correct
Pw
hr
Pw* T
Relative humidity is defined by : Eqn 1
We know the relative humidity of the indoor air and we can look up the vapor pressure of water at the indoor T of 20oC, so we
can solve Eqn 1 for the partial pressure of water in the indoor air and evaluate it.
Pw y w Ptotal Eqn 3
Now, let's consider what happens when the humid indoor air is cooled down to its dew point.
At the dew point temperature, the relative humidity is 100%. Pw Pw* Tdew Eqn 4
Since the partial pressure of water in the humid indoor air is constant, we can use Eqn 4 to evaluate the vapor pressure of
water at the dew point temperature.
P*w (Tdew) 1.2866 kPa
Now, we can go back to the saturation temperature tables and interpolate to detemine the T at which the vapor pressure is
1.2866 kPa. This T is the dew point !
RT
PV Eqn 5 RT
V Eqn 6
P
Answers : Since Tout < Tdew, the glasses SHOULD have fogged when they came into the house if the humidity were really 55%.
However, since the glasses did not fog, we can conclude that the actual relative humidity was less than 55% and the
humidity gauge is not correct.