Solutions problems Chapter 1

These are self-made solutions for the book Statistical Physics of F.Mandl 2nd Edition.

1.1
For an adiabatic process we know that dQ=0, therefore:
RT
dE = dQ + dW = 0 + dW = P dV = dV (1)
V
 
E
Cv = dE = Cv dT (2)
T v
Plugging equation (2) into equation (1):

RT Cv R
Cv dT = dV dT = dV
V T V
Integrate both sides:

Cv ln(T ) = R ln(V ) + C ln(T Cv ) = ln(V R ) + C

Add the natural logarithms and rewrite:

 Cv
Cv R Cv R PV
ln(T V )=C T V =C VR =C
R

Cv +R Cp
P Cv V Cv +R = C P V Cv = PV Cv = PV = C QED

1.2
In an adiabatic expansion into a vacuum the energy of the gas is constant, therefore we can write:

E1 = E2
3 a 3 a
RT1 = RT2
2 V1 2 V2
3 a
R(T2 T1 ) =
2 V2 V1
 
2 1 1
T2 = T1 + a
3R V2 V1

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1.3
During the process Q=0, therefore from the first law of thermodynamics we get that:
 
P2 V2 P1 V1
E = Q + W = 0 + W W = E = E2 E1 = Cv (T2 T1 ) = Cv =
R R
Cv 1
= (P2 V2 P1 V1 ) = (P2 V2 P1 V1 ) (with = Cp /Cv )
Cp Cv 1

1.4
The heat capacity at constant pressure is given by:
 
dQ

Cp =
T p
dH = dE + P dV + V dP = dQ
+ V dP = dQ
(because there is no change in P, so V dP=0)
Therefore we reach the conclusion that
   
dQ
H
Cp =
dH = dQ =
T p T p

1.5
V2 V1 V2 V2
W = P1 dV P2 dV = P1 dV + P2 dV =
V1 V2 V1 V1

= P1 (V2 V1 ) + P2 (V2 V1 ) = (P2 P1 )(V2 V1 )

For the complete cycle E = 0, therefore:
E = Q + W = 0 Q = W = (P2 P1 )(V2 V1 )

1.6

V2 V1 V2 V2
RT2 RT1 RT2 RT1
W = P dV = dV dV = dV + dV =
V1 V V2 V V1 V V1 V
= RT2 ln(V2 /V1 ) + RT1 ln(V2 /V1 ) = R(T1 T2 ) ln(V2 /V1 )
For the complete cycle E = 0, therefore:
E = Q + W = 0 Q = W = R(T2 T1 ) ln(V2 /V1 )

1.7
Since J is equivalent to P a m3 first we need to write the pressure in Pa and the volumes in m3 :
1 atm = 101325 Pa
V1 = 18.8 106 m3
V2 = 3.02 102 m3

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Using the first law of thermodynamics we get:

E = Q + W = Q P V = Q P (V2 V1 ) =
= 4.06 104 101325 (3.02 102 18.8 106 ) = 3.75 104 J/mol

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