How Does Thermal Equilibrium Affect Temperature and Entropy in a Two-Gas System?

In summary, a cylindrical container with two compartments separated by a piston was filled with 1 mole of He at 5atm in the left compartment and argon at 1atm in the right compartment. The cylinder was submerged in 1L of H20 at 25°C and a new equilibrium was reached when the piston was unclamped. The system was thermally and mechanically isolated and the heat capacities of the cylinder and piston were ignored. The questions asked were about the increase in temperature of the water at the new equilibrium, the displacement of the piston, and the increase in total entropy of the system. To solve these, the equations \frac{dS}{dE}=\frac{1}{T} and
  • #1
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Homework Statement



A cylindrical container 80cm long is in two compartments separated by piston, clamped at 30cm from left end. The left compartment is filled with 1 mole of He at 5atm. Right compartment is filled with argon at 1atm. Both gases may be considered ideal. Cylinder is submerged in 1L of H20 @ 25°C. When piston is unclamped, a new equilibrium is reached with piston in new position. The entire system is thermally and mechanically isolated and you may ignore the heat capacities of the cylinder and piston.

What is the increase in Temp of the water at new equilibrium? How far from left of the cylinder will the piston come to rest? What is increase in total entropy of the system?


Homework Equations



What I think I can use, are entropic equations regarding the variables, E, T, P, V:

[tex]\frac{dS}{dE}[/tex]=[tex]\frac{1}{T}[/tex]

[tex]\frac{\partial{dS}}{\partial{dV}}[/tex]=[tex]\frac{P}{T}[/tex]

Since the equilibrium must be reached when entropy is max, then dS[tex]_{1}[/tex]+dS[tex]_{2}[/tex]=0

The Attempt at a Solution



Ok, so I'm guessing that we can relate the pressures and temperatures with

[tex]\frac{dS_{1}}{dV_{1}}[/tex]=[tex]\frac{P_{1}}{T}[/tex]

[tex]\frac{dS_{2}}{dV_{2}}[/tex]=[tex]\frac{P_{2}}{T}[/tex]

meaning, that the temps should be equal after equilibrium.

The displacement of the piston would be a ratio of the two volumes at the new equilibrium.
 
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  • #2
For the increase in entropy, I'm guessing it would be the difference between the two entropies at the start and end of the process, i.e. dS=dS_{1}-dS_{2}.
 

Related to How Does Thermal Equilibrium Affect Temperature and Entropy in a Two-Gas System?

1. What is thermo equilibrium?

Thermo equilibrium is a state in which there is no net flow of heat between two systems that are in thermal contact with each other. In other words, the temperatures of the two systems are equal and there is no heat transfer occurring.

2. How is thermo equilibrium achieved?

Thermo equilibrium can be achieved through the process of thermalization, where heat is transferred between two systems until their temperatures become equal. This can occur through various means such as conduction, convection, and radiation.

3. What factors affect thermo equilibrium?

The main factors that affect thermo equilibrium are the heat capacity, temperature, and thermal conductivity of the two systems. The heat capacity determines how much heat is required to change the temperature of a system, while thermal conductivity determines how easily heat can be transferred between systems.

4. What are the implications of thermo equilibrium in thermodynamics?

Thermo equilibrium is an important concept in thermodynamics as it allows for the analysis of heat and energy transfer between systems. It is a fundamental principle in the study of thermodynamics and is used in the development of various laws and equations.

5. Can thermo equilibrium be broken?

In theory, thermo equilibrium can be broken if there is a non-zero net heat flow between two systems in thermal contact. However, in practice, achieving perfect thermo equilibrium is difficult and often not necessary for many thermodynamic processes.

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