Problem Set #1

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Chem 205 Problem Set 1 Answers. Thermodynamics

Question 1:
Since system absorbs the heat by sign convention q > 0 and since work is done by the system w < 0
so according to the first law of thermodynamics change in internal energy will be:
U = q + w; if q = 2290 J and w = 682 J, U = 2290 J 682 J = 1662 J.

Question 2:
Calculate the work, w, (in Joules) when Vi litre of an ideal gas at an initial pressure of Pi atm is
expanded ISOTHERMALLY to a final pressure Pf atm against constant external pressure of Pext
atm.

w Pext dV Pext dV Pext V f Vi Pext V

Vf

Vf

Vi

Vi

In order to calculate work, we have to find out V, or Vf, using the ideal gas law under the

PiVi nRTi
,
isothermal condition: Ti = Tf,
Pf V f nRT f

PiVi = PfVf , V f

PiVi
Pf

R = 8.314 J/(K mol), and 1 Latm = 101.325 J.

Question 3:
Vf

Starting from the definition of work: w Pext dV

Vi

and definition of the vacuum: Pvacuum = Pext = 0, w = 0

Question 4:
First law of thermodynamics says that U = q + w.
For an ideal gas, the internal energy is a function of temperature only, so for an isothermal process
(T = 0), there is no change in the internal energy of an ideal gas, U = 0.
Since w = 0 (against a vacuum), q = 0.

Problem Set #1

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Question 5:
Vf

Starting from the definition of work: w Pext dV

Vi

where Pext = constant, w Pext dV Pext V f Vi Pext V

Vf

Vi

Since for isothermal process U = 0, q = w = Pext V

Question 6:
Calculate the work when Vi litre of an ideal gas at an initial pressure of Pi atm is expanded or
compressed ISOTHERMALLY to a final volume of Vf litre reversibly.
For a reversible process, using the fact that Pgas Pext P

nRT
V

PiVi nRTi
, while Ti = Tf (isothermal), work can be expressed as:
as well as

P
V
nRT
f
f
f

Vf

Vf

Vi

Vi

Vf
nRT
dV nRT ln
V
Vi
Vi

Vf

w Pext dV Pgas dV

V
PiVi ln f

Vi

Question 7:
For an ideal gas, the internal energy is a function of temperature only, U = U (T), so for an
isothermal process (T = constant) there is no change in the internal energy of an ideal gas, U = 0.

Question 8:
Vi litre of an ideal monatomic gas (Cv,m = 3R/2) initially at Ti and Pi atm pressure undergo an
expansion against a constant external pressure of Pext atm and do work of w (w < 0). The final
pressure of the gas is Pf atm. Calculate the change in enthalpy, H.
H U ( PV ) nC v ,m T nRT n(C v , m R )T nC p ,m T

From ideal gas law applied to the initial state, nR

5
nRT
2

PiVi
Ti

From work done, Vf can be determined, w Pext dV Pext V f Vi

Vf

Vi

Tf can then be obtained by applying ideal gas law to the final state, T f

Pf V f
nR

Pf V f
PiVi / Ti