UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

Space Science and Applied Physics

Thermodynamics : HIPH 107 / HMPH 107 / HMCS 107 / HSST 107

Tutorial Questions

1. What is the triple point and why is it useful for calibrating thermoneters [2]
2. A constant-volume ideal-gas thermometer gives a pressure reading of 0.010 atmospheres in contact with a
cell at the triple point temperature of water (273.16 K).What is the temperature when the pressure reading is
0.012 atmospheres [3
3. Define ‘heat’ in classical thermodynamics .Give three processes by which heat can be transferred between
bodies
4. Starting from the Kelvin-Planck or Clausius statement of the second law of thermodynamics explain why no
heat engine working in a closed cycle between two fixed temperature reservoirs can be more efficient than a
Carnot engine (Carnot’s theorem) [6]
5. Explain carefully how the engine can operate as
i. An engine
ii. A refridgerator
In each case, explain the significance of the area enclosed by the cycle on your sketch [6]
b. By considering the working substance in a Carnot cycle to be an ideal gas show that the heat removed
from the hot reservoir per cycle Q1 and heat transferred to the cold reservoir per cycle Q2 related by
Q2 T 2
=
Q1 T 1

You may use without proof that TV γ −1 is constant for reversible adiabatic changes of state of an ideal gas
[4]
6. Clausius’ statement of the second law of thermodynamics is that no process is possible whose sole result is
the transfer of heat from a cold to a hot source. Give the statement of the second law due to Kelvin.
[4]
By considering a ‘ composite ‘ heat engine ,comprising two seperate engines, show that if Clausius’
statement is false so is that due to Kelvin [6]
7. a. Give the expression for the maximum possible efficiency of a closed cycle engine working between
higher temperature TH and lower temperature TL heat reservoirs [2]
b. Sketch a diagram showing the heat flows into and out of the working substance from the reservoirs per
cycle. Explain why setting TL = 0 would contradict the Kelvin statement of the second law of
thermodynamics [3]
8. Explain carefully the difference between a reversible and irreversible process [4]
b. A gas is confined to one half of a thermally isolated container by a dividing wall. The other half is evacuated.
A hole is punctured in this wall, allowing the gas to expand freely to fill the whole container.
i. Explain why is there no change in the internal energy of the gas after such a ‘free
ii. expansion’ [2]
iii. Elaborate on why is there a net entropy change even though no heat enters or leaves the system
[4]
c. A cyclic device C operates between a high temperature reservoir at T 1 and a low temperature reservoir at
T 2.The device operates in turn as
 i. An engine
ii. A refridgerator
iii. Heat pump
In each case, define the efficiency, and give an expression for the maximum possible efficiency [6]
d. The pressure and volume of an ideal gas undergoing a reversible adiabatic process are related by
γ
pV =constant .Define γ. Assuming that this quantity is a constant , show that the temperature and
pressure in such a process are related by

T
γ −1 / γ
=constant [4]
P

9. a. Define the heat capacity at constant volume,C V . [1]

b. Define the heat capacity at constant pressure C P . By appealing to the differential of the enthalpy ,
H=U + PV , or otherwise show that
C P =T ( ∂∂ TS )
P
[5]

c. A body of mass m and isobaric specific heat capacity c p cools from temperature T ito T f . Show that its

entropy changes by ∆ S=m c p ln

( )
Tf
Ti
, explaining carefully your reasoning in deriving this result [5]

d. It can be shown that the heat capacities at constant pressure and volume are related by

C P −CV = ([ ∂U
∂V )T
] ∂T )
+P (
∂V
P

Show, using this result, that C P −CV =Rfor I mole of ideal (or perfect) gas [5]
e. What is the defining property of
i. An adiabatic
ii. A diathermal boundary
Briefly describe a practical example of each [4]
10. a. Describe the difference between an intensive and an extensive property. Give 2 examples of each type
of property [4]
b. Prove Carnot’s theorem and derive efficiency of a typical Carnot engine [10]

c. A body of mass m and isobaric specific heat capacity c p cools from temperature T ito T f . Show that its

entropy changes by ∆ S=m c p ln ( )

Tf
Ti
, explaining carefully your reasoning in deriving this result [5]
 d. A copper rod of length 50 cm and radius 2 cm has one end dipped in and ice-water mixture and the
dQ
other in boiling water. What is the heat flow [4]
dt

e. Define the heat capacities at constant pressure and constant volume, C P and C V . Give expressions
for these quantities in terms of relevant derivatives of the entropy. Explain qualitatively why you expect
C P >C V . [5]

11. Sketch the Carnot cycle for an ideal gas on a pressure-volume diagram and identify its main features. Explain
carefully how it can operate as (i) an engine and (ii) a refrigerator.
In each case, explain the significance of the area enclosed by the cycle on your sketch. [6]

12.
a. Kelvin’s statement of the second law of thermodynamics is that no process is possible whose sole result
is the complete conversion of heat into work. Give the statement of the second law due to Clausius. [4]
b. By considering a ‘composite’ heat engine, comprising two separate engines, show that if Kelvin’s
statement is false so is that due to Clausius. [6]
14. A scientist applies to a venture capital company for money to develop a new heat pump which is claimed to
deliver 1500 J to a room at 280 K by consuming 50 J of work per cycle pumping heat from the surroundings at
270 K. Wouldyou advise the company to back the scientist? Give your reasons. [4]

15. Explain how a refrigerator works in terms of energy, heat and work. [6]

16. Explain why an electric refrigerator, which transfers energy by means of heat from the cold food storage
compartment to the warmer air in the room, is not an impossible “Clausius device.”

17. Show that if the Clausius statement of the Second Law of Thermodynamics is false, the Kelvin-Planck statement
of the Second Law of Thermodynamics must be false also.

18. A building is heated to 27_C. How much heat per second could be supplied by

i. An electric heater, with power input 20kW

ii. A heat pump connected to an adjacent river at 7_C, with power input 20kW.

19. A piston-cylinder device contains a gas (which remains a gas throughout) undergoing a cycle with the following
three processes:
Process 1-2: Constant pressure expansion at 10 bar absolute pressure
Process 2-3: Constant volume cooling
Process 3-1: Linear pressure increase from 5 bar absolute pressure (State 3)
back to 10 bar absolute pressure at State 1
The data at various states in the cycle is provided in table below.
 i. Sketch the three processes on a P-V diagram. Label the axes and all three states and indicate the process
directions with arrows.[3]
ii. Calculate the boundary work (kJ) for the gas during each process.[2]
iii. Determine the heat transfer (kJ) for the gas during each process.[2]
iv. Is this a power cycle or a refrigeration cycle? Justify your answer with appropriate calculation.[2]
v. Calculate thermal efficiency or coefficient of performance for the cycle.[2]

20. A mass of 2.0 kg of air at 200 kPa and 27C is contained in a gastight, frictionless piston-cylinder device. The air
is now compressed to a 800 kPa. During the process, heat is transferred from the air such that the temperature
inside the cylinder remains constant.Calculate the work input during this process. [10]