Thermal Physics Solutions

1. PV  NkT

PV
 N
kT


 2.0 10    5.0 10 
5 4

 1.38 10    300 

23

 2.4  10 22

 PV  T
2(i) T   273.16
 PV  tr

PT
  273.16 since V is constant
Ptr

4870
  273.16
2680

=496 K

(ii) Real gases behave like ideal gases at low pressure and the ideal gas equation is exactly
what the thermodynamic scale is based on

3. PV  nRT

nRT
V
P

1  8.31  300

1.000  105

 0.025 m3 mol -1
   
Volume of 1 mol of molecules = 2.000  10 29  6.02  10 23 
 1.204  105 m3

Fraction of gas that is empty =


0.025  1.204  105 
0.025

 0.9995

4.
Initial
A B
PA1 = Patm PB1 = Patm
nA1 nB1

TA1 = 100˚C TB1 = 20˚C

= 373.15 K = 293.15 K

A B
PA2 = P PB2 = P
Final
nA2 nB2

TA1 = 20˚C TB1 = 20˚C

= 293.15 K = 293.15 K

Compare initial and final states of A

PA1VA1 PA2 VA2


n A1TA1 n A2 TA2

Patm P
  using PA1 = Patm and VA1  VA2
n A1 (373.15) n A2 (293.15)

n A2 (293.15)
 P  Patm ---------------- (1)
n A1 (373.15)

*(Note: from equation (1), we find that we need an equation to express nA1 in terms of nA2 only in order
to solve for P)
For initial state,

PA1VA1 PB1VB1

n A1TA1 n B1TB1

 n A1TA1  n B1TB1

 n A1 (373.15)  n B1 (293.15) -------- (2)

since PA1 = PB1 and VA1  VB1

For final state,

PA2 VA2 PB2 VB2


n A2 TA2 n B2 TB2

 n A2  n B2 -------- (3)

since PA2 = PB2 = P , VA2  VB2 and TA2  TB2

The total number of moles of molecules in the initial state is the same as the total number of moles of
molecules in the final state:

n A1  n B1  n A2  n B2 ----------------- (4)

* Note that we can obtain an equation involving nA1 and nA2 only if we use (2),(3) and (4)

Sub (3) into (4)

n A1  n B1  2n A2 ----------------- (5)

Sub (2) into (5)

n A1 (373.15)
n A1   2n A2
293.15

2n A2
 n A1 
 373.15 
 1  293.15 
 

 n A1  0.8799 n A2 ------------------ (6)

Sub (6) into (1)

n A2 (293.15)
P  Patm
n A1 (373.15)

n A2 (293.15)
P  (1.013  105 )
0.8799n A2 (373.15)

= 9.04  104 Pa

5.
Force
Pressure =
Area
F
=
A
mg mg
=
A
mgh
= A
Ah
 m 
= hg
 Ah 
m
= hg
V
= ρhg

(i) From kinetic theory of matter, matter is made up of particles that are in continuous random
motion. Pressure is brought about due to the collisions of the molecules with the walls of the
container it is in.
(ii) Not in syllabus

c(i)
At constant pressure P,

V1 V2

T1 T2

0.00783 0.0308
 
T1 273

 T1  69.4K

(iii) 273 K = -0.15˚C

69.4 K = -203.7˚C

6(i)
 1
2
m v
2

1
2
 
3.6  1025  4.6  1026   270 
2

= 60400 J (3.s.f.)

(ii)

1
2
m  v  240  
2 1
2
 
3.6  1025  4.6  1026   270  240 
2

= 215 kJ (3.s.f.)

(iii)

Internal energy of the gas = kinetic energy of the gas (since gas is ideal)
= 215 kJ

7 (a)

PV  nRT

n 
 5
PV 1.00  10  5  10
4
  
RT 8.31  300

= 0.02 mol

(b) Q = mc∆θ (m = mass, c = specific heat capacity or heat capacity per unit mass)
Q = ncn∆θ (n = no of moles, cn = molar heat capacity or heat capacity for 1 mol of substance)

Q = 0.02 21 (1500 – 630)

= 365.4 kJ

(c) Since there is no change in volume, there is no work done by the gas.

(d) Find pressure at C first

PB PC

TB TC


 1.50 10  6
PC
630 1500

 PC  1500 
 1.50 10  6

630

 PC  3.57  106 Pa

Pressure at C is 3.57  106 Pa

Use
PD VD PC VC

TD TC

TD PC VC
 PD  
VD TC

680 (3.57  106 )  (7  105 )

 PD  
5.00  104 1500

 227 kPa

Pressure at D is 227 kPa

(e)
P105/ Pa

C (1500 K)
35.7

(630 K)
B
15.0

2.27 D (680 K)

1.00 A (300 K)

V/m3
7.00  10 -5
5.00  10-4