(THERMO) - Adiabatic Expansion - known P1, P2, and T1

In summary, the conversation discusses finding the maximum temperature of air in a bicycle pump when the pressure increases from 1x10^5 to 3x10^5 and the process is adiabatic. The attempt to solve the problem using the first law of thermodynamics and the ideal gas law is discussed, but an incorrect equation is discovered. A suggestion is made to use the gas law to find a relationship between temperature and pressure instead.
  • #1
Zomboy
6
0
Question:

in a bicycle pump the preasure increases from [p1 = 10^5] to [p2 = 30^5]. If the process is adiabatic ant the air starts at [T1 = 293 K], find the maximum temperature of the air in the pump. (Assuming air can be treated as an ideal gas)

Attempt:

So using the 1st Law and given that its adiabatic (no heat input/output) I've written:

U = W

(C_v)dT = PdV

(C_v)dT = (nR) (1/v) dV

then integrated and re-arranged to obtain:

T2 / T1 = (V2/V1)^(nR/c)

then substituted in { C_v = nR5/2 } because its an adiabatic process, and { T2 P1 / P2 T1 } for V2/V1 using the equation for an ideal gas...

But then when I re-arranged to find T2 I found it to be 33K which is wrong of course...


Is this sort of the way to do it? Its just I can't think of another way seeing as it doesn't specify the initial volume of the tyre...
 
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  • #2
Zomboy said:
T2 / T1 = (V2/V1)^(nR/c)
This equation does not look right. If the volume increases (expansion) the temperature should decrease.
And there is no "n" in the exponent.
The change in internal energy is nCvΔT.

Anyway, what is the point in finding a T,V relationship when you know the pressures but not the volumes?
Use the gas law to substitute V in the first law and integrate to find a relationship between T and p. It's more straightforward.
 

Related to (THERMO) - Adiabatic Expansion - known P1, P2, and T1

1. What is adiabatic expansion?

Adiabatic expansion is a thermodynamic process in which a gas expands without gaining or losing heat to its surroundings. This means that the change in internal energy of the gas is equal to the work done on the gas, and there is no transfer of heat.

2. How is adiabatic expansion different from isothermal expansion?

In adiabatic expansion, there is no transfer of heat, while in isothermal expansion, the gas is kept at a constant temperature. This means that in adiabatic expansion, the gas will cool down as it expands, while in isothermal expansion, the gas will maintain the same temperature.

3. What is the formula for calculating adiabatic expansion?

The formula for adiabatic expansion is P1V1^γ = P2V2^γ, where P1 and P2 are the initial and final pressures, V1 and V2 are the initial and final volumes, and γ is the ratio of specific heats of the gas.

4. Can adiabatic expansion be reversible?

Yes, adiabatic expansion can be reversible if it is done slowly enough to maintain thermal equilibrium with the surroundings. This means that the gas is always at the same temperature as its surroundings, and there is no change in entropy.

5. How does adiabatic expansion affect the temperature of a gas?

As a gas expands adiabatically, it does work on its surroundings and therefore loses internal energy. This causes the temperature of the gas to decrease. The decrease in temperature is greater than in isothermal expansion because there is no transfer of heat to compensate for the loss of internal energy.

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