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MexChemE
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Homework Statement
a) For a certain ideal gas CP = 8.58 cal mol-1 K-1. We have 2 moles of said gas at 293.15 K and 15 atm. Calculate the final volume and temperature when the gas expands adiabatically and reversibly until it reaches a pressure of 5 atm. (Answers: V = 7.45 L; T = 227.15 K)
b) Consider the same gas, but now the expansion takes place adiabatically and reversibly against a constant pressure of 5 atm. Calculate the final pressure and volume of the gas. (Answers: V = 8.15 L; T = 248.15 K)
Homework Equations
[tex]P_1 V_1^\gamma = P_2 V_2^\gamma[/tex]
The Attempt at a Solution
For a)
I can calculate V1 via the ideal gas law, which gives V1 = 3.207 L. Now I have P1, V1 and P2, so I can clear V2 from the adiabatic process equation. I have CP = 8.58 cal mol-1 K-1 and CV = 6.593 cal mol-1 K-1. Thus, γ = 1.3.
[tex]V_2 = (3.207 \ L) \left(\frac{15 \ atm}{5 \ atm} \right)^{\frac{1}{\gamma}} = 7.466 \ L[/tex]
Now I can get T2 via the ideal gas law, which gives T2 = 227.48 K.
For b)
I have no idea how to tackle this part. I know CP and n remain the same, but I don't know what pressure to take as P1 and what to take as T1 to get to the correct answers provided by the textbook. Besides, if pressure is to remain constant, isn't the adiabatic process equation telling me the volume should remain constant too? As you can see, I'm a little bit lost on this one. Thanks in advance for any input!