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1. A quantity, n moles, of an ideal gas is taken through the following three stages
of a reversible cycle:
w = CV (Tb − Ta ) − CP (Tc − Ta ).
[Note: You may find it useful to refer to the results of Q3(a) of Example
Sheet 1.]
(d) Hence show the efficiency, η ≡ w/QH , of the system as a heat engine is
given by
γ(1 − r) Ta
η =1− ,
r(1 − rγ ) Tb
where γ ≡ CP /CV , and r = Va /Vc is the inverse of the compression ratio.
2. Use the first law of thermodynamics for a general (i.e., not necessarily an ideal)
gas to derive the following equations:
1
(a)
" ! #
∂E
d̄Q = CV dT + + P dV,
∂V T
CP − CV
d̄Q = CV dT + dV,
Vα
where α ≡ (1/V )(∂V /∂T )P is the isobaric thermal expansivity.
3. One mole of a van der Waals gas obeys the equation of state
a
P + 2 (V − b) = RT ,
V
and its internal energy is given by
a
E = cT − ,
V
where a, b, and c are constants, and R is the gas constant. Hence show that
the molar heat capacities at constant volume and constant pressure are given
respectively, by
R
CV = c , CP = c + .
1 − 2a(V − b)2 /(RT V 3 )