Thermodynamics - closed systems

In summary, the conversation discusses a problem involving a cylinder with a piston containing air that is compressed according to the law PVn = const. The value of n in the compression process is to be determined, along with the overall change in internal energy/kg of air and the final pressure of the air. The relevant equations are (ps/p1) = (T2/T1)(n/(n-1)) and R = 0.287 kJ/kgK, Cp = 1.005718kJ/kgK. By using the given ratios of specific volumes and pressures, n can be calculated.
  • #1
MegaDeth
83
0

Homework Statement


A cylinder fitted with a piston contains air at 1.0 Bar and 17°C. The gas is compressed according to the law PVn = const., until the pressure is 4 bar when the specific volume is found to be 28% of the initial value. Heat is then added to the air at constant pressure until the volume is doubled. The same amount of heat is now removed from the air at constant volume.

Determine the value of the index n in the compression process.
Find also
(a) the overall change in internal energy/kg of air and
(b) the final pressure of the air.


R = 0.287 kJ/kgK, Cp = 1.005718kJ/kgK

Homework Equations


(ps/p1) = (T2/T1)(n/n - 1)



The Attempt at a Solution


4 = (T2/290)(n/n - 1)

I'm not sure how to find n seeing as I haven't got T2, any ideas?
 
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  • #2
MegaDeth said:

Homework Statement


A cylinder fitted with a piston contains air at 1.0 Bar and 17°C. The gas is compressed according to the law PVn = const., until the pressure is 4 bar when the specific volume is found to be 28% of the initial value. Heat is then added to the air at constant pressure until the volume is doubled. The same amount of heat is now removed from the air at constant volume.

Determine the value of the index n in the compression process.
Find also
(a) the overall change in internal energy/kg of air and
(b) the final pressure of the air.


R = 0.287 kJ/kgK, Cp = 1.005718kJ/kgK

Homework Equations


(ps/p1) = (T2/T1)(n/n - 1)

The Attempt at a Solution


4 = (T2/290)(n/n - 1)

I'm not sure how to find n seeing as I haven't got T2, any ideas?

Isn't T2 = T1?
The same amount of heat is now removed from the air at constant volume.

BTW, your relevant equation is incorrectly written. In some places you have more parentheses than you need (e.g., (ps/p1) is the same as ps/p1 ) , and in the exponent on the right side, there are not enough of them.

Your exponent, as written, is equal to zero. n/n - 1 is the same as (n/n) - 1 = 1 - 1 = 0. If you mean ##\frac{n}{n - 1}## rather than ##\frac n n - 1##, write it as (n/(n - 1)).
 
  • #3
How will that work then?
 
  • #4
You know the ratio of the specific volumes and the ratio of the pressures. This gives you enough information to get n.
 
  • #5


I would approach this problem by first understanding the concept of thermodynamics in closed systems. A closed system is one that does not exchange matter with its surroundings, but can exchange energy in the form of heat or work. In this scenario, the cylinder and piston containing air can be considered a closed system.

The first step would be to determine the value of n in the compression process. According to the given information, the law PVn = const. is followed during the compression process. This can be rewritten as P1V1n = P2V2n, where P1 and V1 are the initial pressure and volume, and P2 and V2 are the final pressure and volume. This equation can be further simplified as (P1/P2) = (V2/V1)n. Substituting the given values, we get (1/4) = (2/7)n. Solving for n, we get n = 1.5.

Next, we need to find the overall change in internal energy per kg of air. The change in internal energy can be calculated using the formula ΔU = Q - W, where Q is the heat added and W is the work done. In this case, the work done is zero as the process is carried out at constant pressure. Therefore, the change in internal energy is equal to the heat added. From the given information, we know that the heat added during the constant pressure process is equal to the heat removed during the constant volume process. Thus, the overall change in internal energy is zero.

Finally, we need to determine the final pressure of the air. We can use the ideal gas law, PV = mRT, to calculate the final pressure. We know that the volume is doubled, and the temperature remains constant during the constant pressure process. Therefore, the final pressure can be calculated as P2 = (2V1/V1)P1 = 2P1 = 2(1 bar) = 2 bar.

In conclusion, the value of n in the compression process is 1.5, the overall change in internal energy per kg of air is zero, and the final pressure of the air is 2 bar. These calculations demonstrate the principles of thermodynamics in closed systems and how they can be applied to solve real-world problems.
 

Related to Thermodynamics - closed systems

1. What is a closed system in thermodynamics?

A closed system in thermodynamics is a system in which no matter is allowed to enter or leave. This means that the system is isolated from its surroundings and there is no exchange of mass with the external environment. However, energy can still be exchanged with the surroundings through heat and work.

2. What is the first law of thermodynamics for a closed system?

The first law of thermodynamics for a closed system states that the change in internal energy of a closed system is equal to the heat added to the system minus the work done by the system. In other words, the total energy of a closed system remains constant, and any energy added or removed from the system will result in a change in internal energy.

3. How is the second law of thermodynamics applied to closed systems?

The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of a closed system and its surroundings always increases over time. This means that in a closed system, energy will naturally tend to disperse and become more evenly distributed, leading to an increase in entropy. This also means that any process that occurs in a closed system will be irreversible, as it will always lead to an increase in entropy.

4. Can a closed system ever reach a state of equilibrium?

Yes, a closed system can reach a state of equilibrium, where the system is in a stable, unchanging state. This occurs when there is no longer any energy transfer between the system and its surroundings, and all processes within the system have come to a stop. At this point, the system has reached thermodynamic equilibrium.

5. How do you calculate the change in internal energy for a closed system?

The change in internal energy for a closed system can be calculated using the first law of thermodynamics: ΔU = Q - W, where ΔU is the change in internal energy, Q is the heat added to the system, and W is the work done by the system. This equation can also be written in terms of specific heat capacity and temperature, as ΔU = mCΔT, where m is the mass of the system, C is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature.

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