PROCESSES OF IDEAL GASES

Thermodynamic Process

Whenever one or more of the properties of a system change, a change in the state of
the system occurs. The path of the succession of states through which the system
passes is called the thermodynamic process.

Process

The path followed by a system as it undergoes a change of state.

Reversible Process

A reversible process for a system is defined as a process that, once having taken place,
can be reversed, and in so doing leaves no change in either the system or surroundings.
In other words the system and surroundings are returned to their original condition
before the process took place.

Irreversible Process

An irreversible process is a process that cannot return both the system and the
surroundings to their original conditions. That is, the system and the surroundings would
not return to their original conditions if the process was reversed.

Flow Work (Wf)

Flow work or flow energy is work done in pushing a fluid across a boundary, usually into
or out of the system. Flow work is necessary for maintaining a continuous flow through
a control volume.

Internal Energy (U)

Internal energy is stored within a body by virtue of the activity and configuration of its
molecules and the vibration of the atoms within the molecules.
Joule's Law states the "the change of internal energy of an ideal gas is a function of only
the temperature change."

Heat (Q)

Heat is energy in transit (on the move) from one body or system to another solely
because of a temperature difference between the systems.

Specific Heat (c)

It is defined as the quantity of heat required to change the temperature of unit mass
through one degrees.

Constant Volume Specific Heat (Cv)

The constant volume specific heat of a pure substance is the change of molecular
internal energy for a unit mass per degree change of temperature.

Constant Pressure Specific Heat (Cp)

The constant pressure specific heat of a pure substance is the change of enthalpy for a
unit mass between two equilibrium states at the same pressure per degree change of
temperature.

Relation Between Cp and Cv

Cp = Cv + R
Cv = R / (k-1)
Cp = kR / (k -1)
k = Cp / Cv ; k is the ratio of the Specific Heats
Enthalpy (H)

Enthalpy is the amount of heat content used or released in a system at constant

pressure. Enthalpy is usually expressed as the change in enthalpy.
The enthalpy is an extensive property. This means that, for homogeneous systems, the
enthalpy is proportional to the size of the system.

Entropy (S)

Property of a substance which remain constant if no heat enters or leaves the

substance, while it does work or alter its volume, but which increases or diminishes
should a small amount of heat enter or leave.

Steady Flow Process

A process during which a fluid flows steadily through a control volume.

A steady-flow process is characterized by the following:
o No properties (intensive or extensive) within the control volume change with the
time
o No properties change at the boundaries of the control volume with time.
o The heat and work interactions between a steady-flow system and surroundings
do not change in time.

ISOMETRIC PROCESS (Constant Volume Process)

An isometric process is a reversible constant volume process. A constant volume

process may be reversible or irreversible. An isometric process is exemplified by
the heating or the cooling of the contents of a sealed, inelastic container.

Formulas:
a) Relation between P and T

b) Nonflow Work

c) The change of Internal Energy

d) The Heat Transferred

e) The Change of Enthalpy

f) The change of Entropy

g) Reversible steady flow constant volume

h) Irreversible nonflow constant volume process

For reversible nonflow, Wn = 0

For irreversible nonflow, Wn 0

Examples:

1.) One kg of air, R = 0.287 kJ/kg-K is confined to a constant volume

vessel. The volume and the initial pressure of the air are 0.2 m3 and 300
kpa, respectively. If 20 kJ of heat are supplied to the gas, The temperature
increase to 411.5 K. Find Wn, U, and the specific heat of the gas.
2.) 10 ft3
F at constant
volume. What are (a) the final pressure, (b) the work, (c) the change of
internal energy, (d) the transferred heat, (e) the change of enthalpy, and
(f) the change of entropy?
3.) There are 1.36 kg of gas, for which R = 377 J/kg-K and k = 1.25, that
undergo a nonflow constant volume process from P1 = 551.6 kPa and T1 =
C to P2 = 1655 kPa. During the process the gas in internally stirred and
there are also added 105.5 kJ of heat. Determine (a) T2 and (b) the
change of entropy.