How Are Thermodynamic Property Tables Created?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the methods used to determine the thermodynamic properties of water, specifically temperature, pressure, specific volume, internal energy, and enthalpy. The process involves conducting experiments and using reference values to measure changes in these properties. The exact method varies depending on the equipment and resources available, but typically involves plotting data and finding equations to calculate the values. Further research and understanding of the relationship between internal energy and temperature is necessary to accurately calculate these values.
  • #1
MotoPayton
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In the back of my thermodynamics book it has large quantities of thermodynamics properties listed for water--ie temperature, pressure, specific volume, internal energy, enthalpy, and enthalpy.

I would like to know how these tables are built and the methods used to ascertain the data in general, not necessarily the specific method for water.

From reading wikipedia, I know that internal energy is zero at zero Kelvin and then it rises with increasing temperature where its value is representative of the sum of kinetic and potential energies of the system. So If I wanted to find the internal energies for water how would I do it? This equation below seems reasonable except how would I find Cv(T) when calculating the integral. Also obtaining zero Kelvin is "impossible" or not easy to do so these values must have been determined some other way. Maybe reaching close to zero and approximating the data at lower temps.. Really curious on this one. I feel like I should understand this for a more complete understanding of thermo.
https://www.google.com/search?q=int...wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FInternal_energy;295;51
 
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  • #2
You can usually work out how to measure specific material properties by their definition.

eg. Zero Kelvin is done by cooling and heating different gasses and plotting the volume against the temperature for the range of values you can achieve (using any temperature scale you like). Observe that these are lines, find the equations of those lines, then solve for temperature given zero volume. This will give you a range of values for absolute zero.

The closer you get to that figure in the experiments, the better the measurement will be, but you don't have to get very close to see the effect. The exact method depends on the equipment to hand - you can use a balloon, calipers, and a thermometer for this experiment, though we'd rather use a constant-volume gas thermometer (look it up).

As you can imagine - these experiments have to be conducted very carefully and they are always being improved. Repeat the details for every property on your list and you'll see the task you have presented to us :)
 
  • #3
Ok, yes. Put one mole of an inert gas into a constant volume container and measure the pressure at varying temps. If using the atm,mole,celcius,liter system you will find 22.4 liters at 0 celcius and 1atm no matter what. Then you can follow that line all the way to zero pressure and notice that the temperature is -273C. Then shift your axis and you have ideal gas law for kelvin system.
I found some pertinent literature and it explains that property values are not exact or even close to exact. They are assigned zero values at arbitrary locations and then the differences in energy from that state are measured through testing. ie: at .01 degrees C water is given 0 internal energy and 0 entropy. Then someone I guess calculates the internal energy levels and other properties at differing temperatures. From the equation I posted I don't understand the method of retrieving that data. because the change in internal energy in the equation I posted relies on Cv itself which is the change in internal energy wrt temp, it implies you already know a relation between internal energy and temperature. But if your trying to find the values for internal energy you do not have that equation for Cv available to you.
I just want to know how someone would find all these values in practice.
 
  • #4
The "zero" value is usually some reference value yes, and all other measures are "with respect to" that reference.
Some choices of reference value make more sense than others.

But all measures are like that - where is the "zero" for position?

Water is a good choice for setting some things to zero because we can measure other things by how they change the water they come into contact with ... which will establish a value for the what you are measuring in comparison with that for water.

Similarly you measure distance by using a standard length - all distances are in comparison to that length.
This is how you get a system of units.

Go back to the definition of internal energy and temperature... and the experimental basis for their relationship.
You should be able to see how to get values for them.
 
  • #5


The property tables in your thermodynamics book are most likely built using experimental data and mathematical models. To obtain the data, experiments are conducted at various temperatures and pressures, and the resulting values for specific volume, internal energy, enthalpy, and other properties are recorded. These data points are then used to create mathematical models, such as equations or graphs, that can be used to estimate the properties at any given temperature and pressure within a certain range.

In terms of finding the internal energies for water, the equation you referenced is a reasonable approach. However, as you mentioned, obtaining data at temperatures close to absolute zero is not feasible. In this case, extrapolation techniques may be used to estimate the values at lower temperatures. Additionally, there are also theoretical models and equations based on thermodynamic principles that can be used to calculate the internal energy at any temperature.

Understanding the methods used to determine these properties is important for a complete understanding of thermodynamics. It allows us to accurately predict the behavior of substances under different conditions and make informed decisions in various engineering and scientific applications.
 

Related to How Are Thermodynamic Property Tables Created?

What are property tables and why are they important?

Property tables are tables that contain data on the physical and chemical properties of substances, such as temperature, pressure, density, and specific heat. They are important because they provide a quick and easy reference for scientists and engineers to make calculations and predictions in their work.

How are property tables created?

Property tables are created through experiments and measurements in a controlled laboratory setting. Scientists use various instruments, such as thermometers and pressure gauges, to collect data on the properties of substances at different conditions. This data is then compiled and organized into tables for easy reference.

What are the common units used in property tables?

The units used in property tables vary depending on the property being measured. Some common units include degrees Celsius or Kelvin for temperature, Pascals or atmospheres for pressure, grams per cubic centimeter for density, and joules per gram for specific heat. It is important to pay attention to the units when using property tables to ensure accurate calculations.

How do property tables differ for different substances?

Property tables can differ for different substances because each substance has its own unique set of properties. For example, the melting point of water is different from the melting point of iron. Additionally, the properties of a substance can also vary depending on the conditions, such as temperature and pressure. Therefore, property tables are specific to each substance and may include different data for different conditions.

How can property tables be used in real-world applications?

Property tables have a wide range of applications in various fields, such as engineering, chemistry, and physics. They can be used to determine the behavior of substances under different conditions, make predictions for chemical reactions, design and optimize industrial processes, and much more. Property tables are an essential tool for scientists and engineers in their research and development work.

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