PHY 131: Online Tutorial Test Assignment 3
MEMO
(1) Three moles of an ideal monatomic gas are at a temperature of 345 K. Then, 2438 J of
heat is added to the gas, and 962 J of work is done on it. Calculate the final
temperature of the gas. [7]
SOLUTION:
When the temperature changes to a final value of Tf from an initial value of Ti, the internal
energy changes by an amount Using 3/2R for monatomic gas
U f U i 32 nR Tf Ti and correct eq. for ΔU
U
2
Solving this equation for the final temperature yields Tf U Ti . We are given n
3nR
and Ti , but must determine U. The change U in the internal energy of the gas is related to
the heat Q and the work W by the first law of thermodynamics, U = Q + W. Using these two
relations will allow us to find the final temperature of the gas.
Using 1st law of thermodynamics
Substituting U = Q + W into the expression for the final temperature gives
2
𝑇𝑓 = (𝑄 + 𝑊) + 𝑇𝑖 Correct substitution
3𝑛𝑅
Correct sign for Q and W
2
∴ 𝑇𝑓 = (2438 J + 962 J) + 341 K
3(3.00 mol)(8.31 J/(mol. K))
∴ 𝑇𝑓 = 436 𝐾 One for answer one for unit
Note that the heat is positive (Q = +2438 J) since the system (the gas) gains heat, and the
work is positive (W = +962 J), since it is done on the system.
(2) A gas is contained in a chamber, as indicated in the figure.
Suppose the region outside the chamber is evacuated and
the total mass of the block and the movable piston is
135 kg. When 2050 J of heat flows into the gas, the internal
energy of the gas increases by 1730 J. Calculate is the
distance s through which the piston rises. [5]
SOLUTION:
The work done by the expanding gas is
First law
Calculating W;
W = Q U = 2050 J 1730 J = 320 J correct sign (negative)
The work done on the gas is also the magnitude F of the force exerted on the piston times the
magnitude s of its displacement times cos of the angle between F and s, which is 180 degrees.
But the force is equal to the weight mg of the block and piston, so that the work is
W = Fs cos(180) = mgs. Thus, we have
Correct value and
−𝑊 −(−320 J) correct sign
Correct expression with
𝑠= = (135𝑘𝑔)(9.8𝑚.𝑠−2 ) = 0.24 m
𝑚𝑔 (positive)
negative sign
(3) Water is heated in an open pan where the air pressure is 1.00 atmosphere. The water
remains a liquid, which expands by a small amount as it is heated. Calculate the ratio
of the work done by the water to the heat absorbed by the water. [8]
SOLUTION:
Since the pan is open, the process takes place at constant (atmospheric) Work done for
pressure P0. The work done on a system in an isobaric process is given by the
isobaric process
equation W = P0V. The work done by the water has opposite sign:
W = P0V The change in volume of the liquid as it is heated is given
Volume
according to the equation V = V0T, where is the coefficient of volume
expansion
expansion. The heat absorbed by the water is given by the
equation Q = cmT, where c 4186 J/ kg C° is the specific heat capacity
Heat eq.
of liquid water. Therefore,
Ratio W P0 V P0 V0 T P0 P
0
Q cmT cmT c(m / V0 ) c Using density from m and V0
where 1.00 10 3 kg / m 3 is the density of the water. Thus, we find
W P0
1.01 105 Pa 207 10 –6 C–1
4.99 10 –6
Q c 4186 J/ kg C 1.00 10 kg/m
3 3
