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A 1.5 mol sample of ideal gas, with C_P, m = 2.75 R, initially at a pressure of

ID: 1063248 • Letter: A

Question

A 1.5 mol sample of ideal gas, with C_P, m = 2.75 R, initially at a pressure of 1.5 atm and a temperature of 298.15 K undergoes the following 3-step cycle: I rightarrow II Adiabatic reversible expansion to twice its initial volume II rightarrow III Reversible isothermal compression III rightarrow I Constant volume heating, returning it to its initial conditions Assume heat capacities are constant as a function of temperature. Determine P, V, and T at the end of each step. Determine q, w, delta U, and delta H for each step. Also determine w_total and comment on whether work is being done on the system or on the surroundings.

Explanation / Answer

1. For the given cycle

a) determination of P, V and T

at I

P1 = 1.5 atm

V1 = 1.5 x 0.08205 x 298.15/1.5 = 24.46 L

T1 = 298.15 K

at II

P2 = 1.5 x 22.46/48.92 = 0.75 atm

V2 = 2V1 = 48.92 L

T2 = 0.75 x 48.92/0.08205 x 1.5 = 298.11 K

at III

P3 = 0.75 atm

V3 = 48.92 L

T3 = 298.11 K

b) From I --> II

dU = w = -nRln(V/V1) = -1.5 x 8.314 ln(2) = -8.64 J

dH = nCpdT = 1.5 x 2.75 x 8,314(298.11 - 298.15) = -1.372 J

q = 0

From II ---> III

w = -nRTln(V2/V1) = -1.5 x 8.314 x 298.11 ln(2) = -2576.934 J

dU = 0

dH = 0

q = -w = 2576.934 J

From III ---> I

w = 0

dU = dq = nCvdT = 1.5 x 1.75 x 8.314 x (198.15 - 198.11) = 0.873 J

dH = nCpdT = 1.5 x 2.75 x 8.314(298.15 - 298.11) = 1.382 J