Need a formula for this scenario....

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In summary, the conversation was about finding a formula to calculate the number of atoms that move from one container to another due to a difference in pressure. The expert suggested using volume ratios to determine the atoms in each container and knowing the atoms in the second container before they were connected. They also mentioned that the final pressure and temperature depend on whether the containers are insulated or not. They provided a formula for an adiabatic process and explained how to calculate the change in velocity of the atoms using temperature.
  • #1
Intle
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So I've been wondering if anyone knows a formula to relate these quantities in this scenario.
Say I have a container that originally has some volume, some amount of atoms at a constant velocity and is at a certain pressure and is airtight and then connect it to another container that has twice the volume and is at a very low pressure. Now some of these atoms will move from the first container to the second container due to the difference in pressure. Is there a formula I could use to calculate how many of these atoms move over to the second container to reach equilibrium?
What about a change in velocity of the atoms?
Is there a formula I can use?
 
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  • #2
If you consider the two volumes reach equilibrium after some time then you could use volume ratios to determine the atoms in each one and knowing the atoms in the second container before they were connected you could determine how many moved, right?
 
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  • #3
Looks like two thirds of the atoms will end up in the new container.

Thinks like final pressure and temperature depend if the containers are insulated or not. Google adiabatic, isothermal, and possibly isobaric.
 
  • #4
CWatters said:
Looks like two thirds of the atoms will end up in the new container.

Thinks like final pressure and temperature depend if the containers are insulated or not. Google adiabatic, isothermal, and possibly isobaric.

Ok, so could you show me how you got this value?
It would be an adiabatic scenario, and yes it is supposed to be insulated. It is an ideal scenario. I'm a bit more interested on how to find a change in velocity of these atoms. Ofcourse I am assuming that there will be a change in velocity, and I could be wrong in this assumption, but I thought that the change in pressure would cause the gas to move into the area of very low pressure. I would like to add that this area is supposed to be very close to a vacuum.
 
  • #5
γ
Intle said:
Ok, so could you show me how you got this value?

Intle said:
Say I have a container that originally has some volume, some amount of atoms at a constant velocity and is at a certain pressure and is airtight and then connect it to another container that has twice the volume and is at a very low pressure.

The volume increases from 1 unit to 3 units. That means the original container represents 1/3rd of the final volume and the new container 2/3rds. If the temperature and pressure ends up the same in both then the atoms will end up distributed uniformly. So there will be 1/3rd in the original container and 2/3rds in the new container.

It would be an adiabatic scenario, and yes it is supposed to be insulated. It is an ideal scenario.

If the container is insulated the gas will cool as it expands. I believe you need to know the adiabatic index γ of the gas to work out the final temperature and pressure. No matter.. If both containers end up at the same temperature and pressure then I would still expect the distribution of atoms to be uniform.

I'm a bit more interested on how to find a change in velocity of these atoms.

I believe you can calculate that...

The temperature will change as the gas expands and Temperature is related to the average (rms) velocity of the atoms...

If you had gas at temperature T1 in an insulated syringe of volume V1 and simply allowed the gas to expand to volume V2 by pulling or releasing the syringe the gas would cool down to T2..

Formulae for adiabatic process can be found here..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adiabatic_process

I'm a bit rusty but I think..

T1V1γ-1 = T2V2γ-1

So if you know T1, V1, V2 and γ you can work out the final temperature T2

The before and after rms velocity of the atoms can be calculated from T1 and T2 as per...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root-mean-square_speed
 
  • #6
Just to continue..

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root-mean-square_speed

Vrms1 = (3RT1/Mm)

So the ratio of the rms velocities would be..

Vrms2/Vrms1 = √T2/√T1 = √(T2/T1) ........(1)

From earlier

T1V1γ-1 = T2V2γ-1

so T2/T1 = V1γ-1/V2γ-1 ...(2)

substitute into (1) gives

Vrms2/Vrms1 = √(V1γ-1/V2γ-1)

So quite a simple relationship between the rms velocity and change in volume.

As I said I might be rusty!

Edited to correct a few typos.
 
  • #7
CWatters said:
Just to continue..

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root-mean-square_speed

Vrms1 = (3RT1/Mm)

So the ratio of the rms velocities would be..

Vrms2/Vrms1 = √T2/√T1 = √(T2/T1) ........(1)

From earlier

T1V1γ-1 = T2V2γ-1

so T2/T1 = V1γ-1/V2γ-1 ...(2)

substitute into (1) gives

Vrms2/Vrms1 = √(V1γ-1/V2γ-1)

So quite a simple relationship between the rms velocity and change in volume.

As I said I might be rusty!

Edited to correct a few typos.
Thanks, precisely what I was looking for.
 

Related to Need a formula for this scenario....

1. What is a formula and why is it necessary?

A formula is a mathematical expression that represents a relationship between different variables. It is necessary because it allows us to make predictions and solve problems based on the given information.

2. How do I create a formula for a specific scenario?

To create a formula for a specific scenario, you need to first identify the variables involved and the relationship between them. Then, you can use mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to express this relationship in the form of a formula.

3. Can a formula be used to solve any problem?

No, a formula can only be used to solve problems that involve the specific variables and relationships that it represents. It may not be applicable to other scenarios that have different variables or relationships.

4. How can a formula be verified for accuracy?

A formula can be verified for accuracy by testing it with various sets of known data and checking if it gives the correct results. It can also be verified by deriving it from first principles or comparing it with other existing formulas that represent the same relationship.

5. Are there different types of formulas?

Yes, there are various types of formulas depending on the field of study and the type of relationship they represent. Some common types include algebraic formulas, geometric formulas, statistical formulas, and scientific formulas.

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