MME6701

Solution to Assignment #1

1. 5 moles of an ideal gas of volume 2.5 m3 and temperature 25 °C are expanded isothermally to 3.4
m3. The change in entropy during the process is calculated as 5.0 J/mol-K. Calculate the change
in internal energy of the system.

Given data:
n = 5 mol
V1 = 2.5 m3 V2 = 3.4 m3
T1 = 25 °C = 298 K T2 = T1 = 298 K
ΔS = 5 J/mol-K

For an isothermal process, the work done on the system

W = –nRT ln (V2/V1) = –(5 mol).(8.314 J/mol-K).(298 K). ln (3.4 m3 / 2.5 m3) = –3809.08 J

The amount of heat absorbed by the system

Q = nTΔS = (5 mol).(298 K).(5 J/mol-K) = 7450 J

Then, the change in internal energy of the system

ΔU = Q + W = 7450 - 3809.08 J = 3640.92 J

2. One kilogram of air is heated reversibly at constant pressure from an initial state of 300 K and 1
bar until its volume triples. Calculate W, Q, ΔU for the process. Assume air obeys the relation
PV/T = 83.14 bar cm3/mol-K and that CP = 29 J/mol.K.

Given data:
m = 1 kg PV/T = 83.14 bar-cm3/mol-K
T1 = 300 K V2 = 3V1
P1 = 1 bar CP = 29 J/mol-K

Molecular mass of air at STP = 28.97 g/mol

So, number of air moles, n = (1000 g)/(28.97 g/mol) = 34.52 mol

Using the given relation,

V1 = (83.14 bar-cm3/mol-K) n(T/P) = (83.14 bar-cm3/mol-K).(34.52 mol).(300 K / 1 bar)
= 860997.84 cm3
V2 = 3V1 = 3 (860997.84 cm3) = 2582993.52 cm3

For an isobaric process, the work done on the system

W = –P(V2–V1) = – (1 bar).(2582993.52–860997.84 cm3) = –1721995.68 bar-cm3
= (–1721995.68 bar-cm3).(8.314 J/83.14 bar-cm3) = –172199.57 J = –172.20 kJ

Now the final temperature of the system

T2 = PV2/83.14 = (1 bar)( 2582993.52 cm3) / (83.14 bar-cm3/mol-K)
= 31068 K/mol = 900 K

The heat absorbed by the system

Q = ∫ nCPdT = 29 n (T2–T1) J = (29 J/mol-K).(34.52 mol).(900-300 K)
= 600648 J = 600.65 kJ

Then, the change in internal energy of the system

ΔU = Q + W = 600.65 – 172.20 kJ = 428.45 kJ
3. Two moles of monatomic ideal gas are contained at 1 atm pressure and 300 K temperature. 34166
joules of heat are transferred to the gas, as a result of which the gas expands and does 1216 joules
of work against its surroundings. The process is reversible. Calculate the final temperature of the
gas.

Given data:
n = 2 mol Q = +34166 J
P1 = 1 atm W = –1216 J
T1 = 300 K cV = 3R/2

The change in internal energy of gas

ΔU = Q + W = 34166 – 1216 J = 32950 J

The change in internal energy of an ideal gas can also expressed by the relation
ΔU = ncV ΔT = (3R) (T2–T1)
T2 = T1 + ΔU/3R = 300 K + (32950 J) / 3(8.314 J/mol-K) = 1621.06 K

4. One mole of an ideal gas is compressed isothermally but irreversibly at 130 °C from 2.5 bar to 6.5
bar in a piston-cylinder device. The work required is 30% greater than the work of reversible,
isothermal compression. The heat transferred from the gas during compression flows to a heat
reservoir at 25 °C. Calculate the entropy changes of the gas, the heat reservoir, and DStotal.

Given data:
n = 1 mol
T1 = 130 °C = 403 K
P1 = 2.5 bar
P2 6.5 bar

Work done to the system during the reversible isothermal process

Wrev = –nRT ln (V2/V1) = nRT ln (P2/P1)
= (1 mol).(8.314 J/mol-K).(403 K) ln (6.5/2.5) = 3201.48 J

Using 30% more, the irreversible work done to the system

Wirr = 1.3 (3201.4 J) = 4161.92 J

Since for an isothermal process, ΔU = CV dT = 0 = Q+W, and the heat input into the system
Qsys = –Wirr = –4161.92 J

Then, the entropy change for the system (the gas)

ΔSsys = Qirr/T1 = (–4161.92 J)/(403 K) = –10.33 J/mol

Now, the heat input into the surroundings (i.e., the heat reservoir) at 25 °C (298 K)
Qres = –Qsys = +4161.92 J
Then, the entropy change for the heat reservoir
ΔSres = Qirr/T1 = (+4161.92 J)/(298 K) = +13.97 J/mol

Then the total entropy change for the process

ΔStotal = ΔSsys + ΔSres = –10.33 J/mol + 13.97 J/mol = +3.64 J/mol