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Thermodynamics Basic Concepts

Contents
Thermodynamics Basic Concepts ................................................................................................................ 1
Laws about gases ................................................................................................................................................ 1
Charles Law ................................................................................................................................................... 1
Boyles Law .................................................................................................................................................... 2
Charles and Boyles Laws combined ......................................................................................................... 2
Ideal Gas Law ................................................................................................................................................ 2
Relevant concepts and definitions for gases .................................................................................................. 2
Pressure ........................................................................................................................................................... 2
Barometric Pressure ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Manometric Pressure .................................................................................................................................... 3
Absolute Pressure .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Specific Volume ............................................................................................................................................. 3
Temperature ................................................................................................................................................... 4
General Physics Stuff ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Force................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Energy and Work .......................................................................................................................................... 4
Power .............................................................................................................................................................. 6
And Back to Energy!! .................................................................................................................................... 6
Problems ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Piston pressure problem ............................................................................................................................... 7
Gas law problems .......................................................................................................................................... 7
Weight, mass, density, etc. ........................................................................................................................... 9
Answers .............................................................................................................................................................10

Laws about gases

Charles Law
Volume is directly proportional to temperature: V = cT, where c > 0 is constant.
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Scientist Jacque Charles noticed that if air in a balloon is heated, the balloon expands. For an
ideal gas, this relationship between V and T should be linear (as long as pressure is constant).

Boyles Law

Pressure is inversely proportional to volume:
= , where a > 0 is a constant.



Robert Boyle noticed that when the volume of a container holding an amount of gas is increased,
pressure decreases, and vice versa (while the temperature is held constant). Note that this is not a
linear relationship between p and V.

Charles and Boyles Laws combined

Mathematically, you can combine the two laws above:

Ideal Gas Law




= , where k is a constant.

This law combines the relationships between p, V, T and mass, and gives a number to the
constant! The ideal gas law is: pV = nRT, where n is the number of moles, and R is universal
gas constant. The value of R depends on the units involved, but is usually stated with S.I. units
as: R = 8.314 J/molK.
For air, one mole is 28.97 g (=0.02897 kg), so we can do a unit conversion from moles to
kilograms.
=

8.314 
1 
287 

=
 
0.02897 
 

This means that for air, you can use the value
R = 287 J/kgK.

If you use this value of R, then technically the formula should be written as
pV = mRT,
where m represents the mass of air in kg (and we avoid having to do any calculations with moles.)

Relevant concepts and definitions for gases

Pressure
Pressure is defined as a force applied over the surface area of an object. The formula defining

pressure is:
= 

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For example, picture a person standing on a box that sits on the floor. The person weighs 800 N
pounds and the box, viewed from above, is the shape of a square with a side length of 1 meter.
The pressure of the box on the floor would be:


=

800
=
1 !
= 800

!
= 800 "#

Pressure is measured in Pascals (Pa), and 1 Pascal is defined as 1

N/m2. Therefore, the pressure on the floor is 800 Pa.

Another common unit for pressure is pounds per square inch (psi).

Barometric Pressure
Also known as atmospheric pressure, this is pressure applied to any object that is in an
atmosphere, e.g. on earth. Standard atmospheric pressure, at sea level at a temperature of 25 C
is 101.325 kPa. Barometric pressure is measured with a barometer.

Manometric Pressure
Also known as the gauge pressure, this is the internal pressure of the system, and does not
include the barometric pressure. Manometric pressure is measured with a manometer. Note that
this value can actually be negative (see below).

Absolute Pressure
This is the total amount of pressure including both the manometric and barometric pressures.
You can use the formula:
Absolute Pressure = Barometric Pressure + Manometric Pressure
With this formula, it is important to note that absolute pressure cannot be negative, but
manometric pressure can and will be negative whenever the absolute pressure of the system is
lower than the barometric pressure. This happens when you create a vacuum (or partial vacuum)
inside something.

Specific Volume
The specific volume of an object is defined as its volume (i.e. space occupied) per unit mass. The
symbol is a lower case v (which is sometimes written in italics), and the formula can be written as:
$=%


where & is the total volume.

The normal unit of measurement for specific volume is m3/kg. Specific volume is also the
'
reciprocal of density: $ = (, where ) (Greek letter rho) is the density of an object (or substance).

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Temperature
Temperature is a less straightforward concept than pressure. Temperature is a measure of the
amount of thermal energy that exists in a physical space, relative to a zero point of energy, which
we define as absolute zero. In science, temperature is usually measured on the Kelvin scale,
where 0 K is absolute zero, and 273.15 K is the freezing point of water (273.15 K = 0 C).

General Physics Stuff

Force
In physics, force is defined using Newtons 2nd Law:
*+, = #,

where  is the mass of an object, # is the objects acceleration and Fnet is the amount of
unbalanced force being applied to the object. The S.I. unit for force is the Newton (N), where
1 N = 1 kgm/s2.
Conceptually, 1 N is the amount of force required to move a mass of 1 kg at a rate of
acceleration equal to 1 m/s2.
Any unit for force should always be made up of a unit for mass (in this case kg) multiplied by a
unit for acceleration (m/s2).
In fact, the formal definition of pounds force (lbf, the Imperial unit of force) is
1 lbf = 1 slugft/s2
or the force required to accelerate a mass of 1 slug at a rate of acceleration of 1 ft/s2. Since one
slug equals 32.174 pounds mass (lb), we get the useful conversion factor:
1 lbf = 32.174 lbft/s2,
which is very useful for changing between weights in lbf to masses in lbm, and vice versa.

Energy and Work

There are many different types of energy, and different formulas for calculating it, but they
should all be measured with the same unit, the Joule.
The following are a few different mathematical definitions of energy.
Kinetic Energy = mv2
where m is mass and v is speed (or velocity without direction). Kinetic Energy is the energy of
motion anything that is moving has kinetic energy. The higher the speed, the more kinetic
energy an object has.
Gravitational Potential Energy = m g h
where m is mass, g is gravitational acceleration, and h is the height of the object relative to a
reference point (e.g. the ground). The higher something is above the ground, the more potential
it has to fall, increase speed, and thus gain kinetic energy.
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In general, all forms of energy have something to do with movement, even including thermal and
electrical energy, while potential energy is the potential for movement to happen at some point.
For example, electric potential is the potential for an object with charge (e.g. an electron) to move
through an electric field. Chemical potential energy can be thought of as the energy held in some
substances that can be released through a chemical reaction, such as burning a fuel for heat.
Work is defined as the change in the level of energy of a system, so it is also measured in Joules.
Mechanical work can be measured by this formula:
- =  .,

where F is the force exerted and, and s is the distance over which the force was exerted.
So, if I apply a steady force of 100 N on an object, and the object moves 5 m, then the amount of
work I did on the object is:
- = 100 5 
= 500 
= 500 

The definition of a Joule can be understood easiest based on the above definition of work:
Therefore,

- =  .

1  = 1 

= 1  ! 
.
!
= 1  !
.
As an exercise, use the above definitions of kinetic and gravitational potential energy to show that
they are measured in the same units.
In fact another formula for mechanical work is:
W = p V
Where p is pressure and V is the change in volume. The units still work out to be in Joules as
long as pressure is measured in Pascals, and volume in m3.

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Power
The concept of power follows directly from work. Power is simply the rate at which work is
done and is measured in Watts (W).

-2

341
1 
1 - =

1 .
!
1  !
.
=
1 .
!
= 1  5
.
So, if a generator supplies 500 J of electricity every second, we can call it a 500 W generator. If a
light bulb uses up 60 J of energy every second to brighten up our lives, it is a 60 W bulb.
"012 =

And Back to Energy!!

Another common unit for energy worth mentioning is the kilowatt-hour (kWh). This is a unit
people often see on their electricity bills. The kilowatt-hour may seem like a unit for power, but
it is actually energy.
Think of it this way: 1 kW is 1000W, which is an amount of power. Power is work (or energy
change) divided by time. So now, we are multiplying that unit of power by a different unit of
time, the hour. Thus, the kWh is energy divided by time, then multiplied by time, bringing us
back to energy!
Just for fun, and to practice unit conversions, lets convert 1 kWh into Joules.

(Remember that 1  = 1 
1 - 9

':::;
'<;

%6
76

9 = 1000 - = 1000 

%6
7=

, from the definition of the Watt above.

!
3600.
!



=
3600000 

.
.5
.5
1
!
= 3600000  !
.
= 3600000 

1000 

Therefore 1 kWh is the same as 3.6 106 J

This may also give you an idea of why we often use kWh to measure our energy consumption. If
we measured it using Joules, the numbers would be huge! Also, when you know the wattage of
all your appliances, it makes it easier to do a quick calculation in kWh for an hours use of those
appliances, and then multiply by the electric companys rate per kWh to find out how much it
costs to run your air conditioner for 6 hours, for example.

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Problems

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Piston pressure problem

1) In a piston system, the piston diameter is 25.0 mm, and the mass of the piston and platform
is 55.0 g. If a 0.584 kg weight is placed on top of the platform to equilibrate the pressure,
then what is the manometric pressure inside? Assume the barometric pressure is 101.300 kPa
and g = 9.807 m/s2.

Gas law problems

2) The pressure-volume relationship for a given gas is assumed to be Pv1.2 = Constant. At a
pressure of 1.5 bars, the volume is of the gas is 55 mL. The mass of the gas inside is 80 mg.
If temperature is kept constant, what should the new pressure be (in bars) when the volume
is decreased to 35 mL?

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3) Calculate the volume of 1.2 kg an ideal gas with a molar mass of 55 g/mol at a pressure of
120 kPa, and a temperature of 80C. Also, what is are specific volume and the density of the
gas?

4) Calculate the mass in grams of air contained in a spherical balloon with a diameter of 5 m.
The temperature of the air inside the balloon is 55.0C and the manometric pressure is
measured at 1.5 bars.

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Weight, mass, density, etc.

5) What is the specific volume of a gas that has a weight of 1.5 kg and is contained in a
cylindrical container with a volume of 2.0 m3? If this is the answer on earth, where
g = 9.807 m/s2, what is the gass new specific volume if I move the cylinder to Phobos,
where g = 0.0015 m/s2?

6) You measure the weight of a platinum bar with a mass of exactly 10 kg to be 98.12 N. What
is the acceleration due to gravity at your location? If you move to a place where
g = 9.807 m/s2, what will be the weight of the bar?

7) While on the Jovian moon Ganymede, you use a spring scale to measure the weight of a brick
as 1.5 pounds. If you then travel to Io and measure it again with the same scale, what will the
weight of the brick be (in pounds)? (Assume the gravitational acceleration is 1.8 m/s2 on Io,
and 1.4 m/s2 on Ganymede.) Also, given that the brick is a cube with a length of 50 cm on
each side, what is its density in kg/m3?

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Answers

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Question 1 (Piston Pressure Problem)

There are three forces pushing the piston downward:
Fbar = The force of the barometric pressure
Fapplied = The force of the applied weight
Fcyl = The force of the weight of the piston and platform.
There is only one force pushing upward:
Fmano = The force of the manometric pressure inside the piston
Since the system is in equilibrium (i.e. it isnt moving), the sum of the forces acting downward
must be equal to the forces acting upward.

?@ + BC+D + EFB = %*G

?@  + BC+D  + EFB  =
%*G 

?@  + BC+D  + EFB 
=
%*G

Since
Force of weight = mass gravitational acceleration
And

Force of pressure = pressure area

All of the quantities on the left side of this equation can be determined from the given
information, but we have to be careful to use the correct units: kg, m, and Pa.
 = H2 !
= HI0.0125mJ!
= 4.91 10KL m2

By converting the given diameter of 25 mm to 0.025 m and dividing by 2 to get the radius.
mapplied = 0.584 kg This is already in the correct units

mcylinder = 55.0 g = 0.055 kg

pbar = 101300 Pa
g = 9.807 m/s2
Substituting all of this into the equation for pmano above, we get:

101300Pa 4.91 10KL m2 + 0.584kg 9.807m/s2 + 0.055kg 9.807m/s2

=
%*G
4.91 10KL m2
All three of the multiplications on the type should result in N as the units, since they are the three
forces acting downward from the original equation. The result is:
49.74N + 5.727N + 0.5394N
=
%*G
4.91 10KL m2
56.0N
=
%*G
4.91 10KL m2
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%*G = 114053N/m2 114000Pa

Page 11 of 14

A Pascal is a Newton per square metre.

Therefore, the manometric pressure is about 114000 Pa or 114 kPa.

Question 2 (Gas laws)

Given:

' = 1.5 P#2

! =?

= 80 

&' = 55 R

&! = 35 R

Equation:

& '.! = ST.3#T3

' &''.! =
! &!'.!

I
' JI&' J'.!

! =

I&! J'.!
I1.5 P#2JI55 RJ'.!

! =

I35 RJ'.!
= 2.58 P#2

Note that we didnt need to know that the mass was to solve this problem i.e. the mass (80 mg)
was extraneous information. We also didnt need to convert from mL to m3 because the mL
cancelled out in the equation on the right (because it is a proportion).
Therefore, the new pressure, after compression, is 2.58 bar.
Question 3 (Gas laws)
Given:

" = 120 "#

= 120000 "#
& =?

#.. = 1.2 , #2 #.. = 55 /

#..
1200 
=
= 21.82 1.
#2 #.. 55 

W = 80 Y = 353.15 

T=

 = 8.314


 

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Equations:

"& = TW

&=

&=

TW
"

I21.82 J Z8.314

& = 0.534 5


[ I353.15 J
 

120000

!

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Specific Volume

&


0.534 5
=

1.2 
5
= 0.455  \

$=

Density
1
)=
$

5
0.455

\
= 2.25
5

Therefore the volume of the gas is 0.534 m3, the specific volume is 0.455 m3/kg and the density
is 2.25 kg/m3.
Question 4 (Gas laws)
Given:

" = 1.50 P#2. = 1.50 10] "#

4 5 4
H = HI5J5 = 523.6 5
3
3
 =?

&=

 = 287


Ifor airJ
 

W = 55.0 Y = 328.15 

Equations:

"& = W (using the value of R for air)

"&

W
I1.50 10] "#JI523.6 5 J
=


c287
d I328.15 J
 
= 833.94 
= 834000 

=

Therefore, the mass of the air in the balloon is 834000 g.

Question 5 (weight, mass, density, etc.)

Given:

$ =? (specific volume)
 = 1.5 

& = 2.0 (net volume)

 = 9.807 /. !

Equation:

Specific volume =

&


2.0 5
=

1.5 
5
= 1.7  \
$=

net volume
mass

Therefore the specific volume on earth is 1.7 m3/kg. The specific volume on Phobos will be
exactly the same as on Earth because specific volume only depends on mass and net volume,
which both remain the same regardless of change in location or gravity.

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Question 6 (weight, mass, density, etc.)

Given:

Equations:

 = 10 

-143 = p = 98.12
 =?

 = #

p = 

p


98.12
=

10 
 = 9.812 /. !

=

Therefore, the acceleration due to gravity at this location is 9.812 m/s2.

Now, we are told that g=9.807 m/s2, and need to find the new value for weight (Fg)
Given:

Equations:

 = 9.807 /. !

p = I10 J Z9.807

p = 

 = 10 

-143 = p =?

= 98.07


[
.!

Therefore, the weight of the platinum rod is now 98.07 N at this new location.

Question 7 (weight, mass, density, etc.)

On Ganymede:
Given:
p = 1.5 Pq r

 = 1.4

 =?

P q3
. ! r = 48.261 P q3
1 Pq
.!

32.174

 3.28 q3
q3

= 4.592 !
!
.
1 
.

Equations:

p = 

=

p



P q3
.!
=
q3
4.592 !
.
 = 10.5 P
48.261

The mass of the brick is 10.5 lbm. We can use this find the weight on Io.

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On Io:
Given:

 = 10.5 P
 = 1.4


3.28 q3
q3

 = 4.592 !
!
.
1 
.

Equations:
p = 

p = I10.5 PJ c4.592

p = 48.2

P q3
r
.!

p = 1.50 Pq

q3
d
.!

1 Pq
r
P q3
32.174
.

Therefore, the weight of the brick on Io is 1.50 lbf.

Density of the brick in kg/m3:
Given:

1 
 = 4.77 
2.2 P
Length:  = 0.5 
 = 10.5 P 

& =? , ) =?

Equations:
)=

%


(density = mass/volume)

& = 5
= I0.5 J5
= 0.125 5

)=
&
4.77 
)=

0.125

) = 38.2 \5

Therefore the density of the brick is 38.2 kg/m3.

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