10.

Thermodynamic Processes
10.2.1 Deduce an expression for the work involved in a volume change of a gas at
constant pressure.
Compression of a gas at constant pressure (doing work on the gas) results in
a change in the temperature of the gas and hence a change in internal energy
(Ep + Ek).

W = pV
A gas is compressed at 2.00 x 105 Pa from a volume of 2.00 m3 to 0.50 m3. If
the initial temperature of the system was 40 C, what is the final
temperature?

10.2.2 State the first law of thermodynamics.

Consider a container of gas fitted with a movable piston:

if we add heat Q to the system but do not allow the piston to move, the
temperature (and hence U) of the gas will increase

Gas compressed
(container insulated)

Heat added
-

if the container walls are insulated and the piston is pressed in,
compressing the gas, work is done on the system. Since no heat enters or
leaves the gas, the work done on the system equals the change in U.
First Law of Thermodynamics: Heat energy supplied to a system either
increases the internal energy of the system or enables it to do work or both.
Q = U + W
e.g. A gas expands isothermally. If Q = 105 J is given to the gas, what is
the work done by the gas?
e.g. A gas expands adiabatically. Will the temperature increase or decrease?
Explain.

Consequences of the first law:

1. heat and work are equivalent; both are forms of energy
2. the same change in internal energy can be achieved by adding heat,
or by doing work, or by some of each, but the internal energy change

is independent of how that change was achieved (U depends only on

the thermodynamic state of the system; T, V, P)

10.2.3 Identify the first law of thermodynamics as a statement of the principle of

energy conservation.

The first law is a generalization of the energy conservation law introduced in

mechanics; it provides a relationship between the heat transferred to a
system, the work it performs, and the change in its internal energy associated
with the motions of its molecules.
The internal energy (U) varies with the state of a system, as described by
macroscopic variables such as the temperature, pressure and volume.
In ideal gases, U actually depends only on the temperature (U=3/2NkT for a
monatomic ideal gas).
The heat Q added to or taken from a system is the amount of thermal energy
transferred due to a temperature difference.

10.2.4 Describe the isochoric (isovolumetric, isobaric, isothermal and adiabatic

processes.
10.2.5 Draw and annotate thermodynamic processes and cycles on P-V diagrams.
10.2.6 Calculate the work done in a thermodynamic cycle from a P-V diagram.

Isothermal processes are those in which work is done without a

corresponding change in temperature. In practice, such processes are
difficult to achieve, but they may be visualized for an ideal gas.
The internal energy of an ideal gas depends only on the temperature. If heat
is added very slowly to an ideal gas, allowing it to expand and do work on its
surroundings, the temperature, and hence internal energy, will remain
constant.
Adiabatic processes are those in which no heat enters or leaves the system.
This condition is common because we can insulate systems to minimize heat
transfer. Alternately, processes may occur so rapidly that no heat flow
occurs.

1. W = pV = area under the graph

(p ~ 0 for an infinitesimal V)
P

2. Basic thermodynamic cycle

-gas expands from A to B; work = area between curve and x-axis (work done by gas).
-from B to A, gas is being compressed (work done by outside agent); work = area
between curve and x-axis
-net work = enclosed area
P

V
3. Isobaric curve - V at constant pressure; work = rectangle under horizontal line
P

V
4. Isochoric curve volume stays fixed; since V = 0, no work is done
P

V
5. Isothermal and Adiabatic curves shapes are similar; adiabatic is always steeper
P

Isothermal
Adiabatic
V

10.2.7 Solve problems involving state changes of a gas.

1. If 22 J of work is done on a system and 3.4x102 J of heat is added, what is the
change in internal energy of the system?
2. 6.0 dm3 of an ideal gas is at a pressure of 202.6 kPa. It is heated so that it
expands at constant pressure until its volume is 12 dm3. Find the work done by
the gas.
3. A monatomic gas is kept at constant pressure 3.00 x 106 Pa, initial volume 0.100
m3 and temperature 300 K. If the gas is compressed at constant pressure down to
a volume 0.080 m3 find
i. The work done on the gas.
ii. The heat taken out of the gas.