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Consider a well-insulated container of total volume V0. (a) Initially, the conta

ID: 2994548 • Letter: C

Question

  Consider a well-insulated container of total volume V0.

(a)   Initially, the container is divided into two equal parts, using a very thin partition. One side is filled with a mole of argon at temperature T0and pressure P0 whereas the other side is under vacuum. At t = 0, the partition is suddenly removed. After the system reaches equilibrium, calculate the final temperature, and pressure. Calculate the change in the entropy of the system and of the universe. How would your answer change if the system were in thermal contact with a bath at temperature T0?

(b) Suppose the partition is replaced with an adiabatic piston (see figure). If the gas is allowed to expand reversibly from initial volume V0/2 until it occupies the final volume V0, calculate the final temperature, pressure and the work done on the piston by the gas. Calculate the change in the entropy of the system and of the universe. How would your answer change if the system were in thermal contact with a bath at temperature T0?

Assume argon to be an ideal gas and its heat capacity to be independent of


temperature. R = 8.314 J/ (mol K)

Explanation / Answer


Part A and Part B are Similar Questions

a) Initially

P1 = Po

T1 = To

V1 = Vo/2

Finally

V2 = V0

P2 = ?

T2 = ?

The Process is Isentropic

P*V^1.667 = Constant

P1*V1^1.667 = P2*V2^1.667

P2 = 0.315 Po

From Ideal gas Equation

P1*V1 = n*R*T1

Po*Vo/2 = n*R*T0

n*R = Po*Vo/(2*To)------(1)

P2*V2 = n*R*T2

0.315*Po*Vo = Po*Vo/(2*To) *T2

T2 = 0.63 To

Since the Process is Isentropic (Heat Transfer,dQ = 0)

Entropy of the system(dS1) = dQ/T2 = 0

Entropy of the Surrounding(dS2) = -dQ/T(inf) = 0

Entropy of Universe,(dS) = dS1 + dS2 = 0


When temperature is kept constant

P1*V1 = P2*V2

Po*Vo/2 = P2*Vo

P2 = Po/2

T2 = To

Change in Internal energy,dU = 0 (since temperature is constant)

Work done in an Isothermal Process

W = n*R*T1 ln(V2/V1) = P1*V1*ln2 = 0.347*Po*Vo

From the first law

dQ = dU + W

dQ = W = 0.347*Po*Vo

Entropy of the System,dS1 = dQ/To = 0.347*(PoVo/To)

Entropy of the Surroundings,dS2 = -dQ/To = - 0.347*(PoVo/To)

Entropy of the Universe,dS = dS1 + dS2 = 0