Chapter 14: Problem 4
Calculate the work done in joules when a mechanical compressor exerting a constant pressure of \(350.0\) kPa compresses an air sample from a volume of \(500.0 \mathrm{~cm}^{3}\) to a volume of \(250.0 \mathrm{~cm}^{3}\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The work done is -87.5 J.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Formula for Work Done by a Gas
The work done by a gas when it is compressed or expanded at constant pressure is given by the formula:\[ W = P \cdot \Delta V \]where \( W \) is the work done, \( P \) is the constant pressure, and \( \Delta V \) is the change in volume.
02
Calculate the Change in Volume
First, calculate the change in volume \( \Delta V \). The initial volume is \( 500.0 \mathrm{~cm}^3 \) and the final volume is \( 250.0 \mathrm{~cm}^3 \).\[ \Delta V = V_{\text{final}} - V_{\text{initial}} = 250.0 - 500.0 = -250.0 \mathrm{~cm}^3 \]The negative sign indicates that the volume has decreased, which is expected during compression.
03
Convert Pressure to Consistent Units
Pressure is given as \( 350.0 \text{kPa} \). We need to convert this to \( \text{Pa} \) to be consistent with the volume units in \( \text{m}^3 \) (a conversion you'll do in the next step).1 kPa = 1000 Pa,\[ P = 350.0 \times 1000 = 350000 \text{ Pa} \]
04
Convert Volume to Consistent Units
Convert the volume change from \( \text{cm}^3 \) to \( \text{m}^3 \) since 1 m³ = 1,000,000 cm³:\[ \Delta V = -250.0 \mathrm{~cm}^3 \times \frac{1 ext{ m}^3}{1,000,000 ext{ cm}^3} = -0.00025 ext{ m}^3 \]
05
Calculate the Work Done
Now substitute the values for pressure and change in volume into the formula for work done:\[ W = P \cdot \Delta V = 350000 \times (-0.00025) \]\[ W = -87.5 \text{ J} \]The negative work indicates that energy is supplied to compress the gas.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
work done
In thermodynamics, when a force causes an object to move, work is done. For gases, work can occur when a gas expands or is compressed. It involves transferring energy from one system to another. The formula for calculating work done by a gas at constant pressure is given as:
- \( W = P \cdot \Delta V \)
- \( W \) represents the work done, measured in joules (J).
- \( P \) is the constant pressure exerted, measured in pascals (Pa).
- \( \Delta V \) is the change in volume of the gas, measured in cubic meters (m³).
pressure-volume work
Pressure-volume work is a specific type of work associated with changes in the volume of a gas. This concept is crucial when studying processes involving gases expanding or compressing under constant pressure.
The idea is simple: if the volume of a gas changes while it remains under a constant pressure, work is performed. Whether it's work done on the gas or by the gas depends on the change:
The idea is simple: if the volume of a gas changes while it remains under a constant pressure, work is performed. Whether it's work done on the gas or by the gas depends on the change:
- If the volume of the gas decreases (compression), work is done on the gas.
- If the volume of the gas increases (expansion), the gas does work.
gas compression
Gas compression is a basic process in thermodynamics where the volume of a gas is decreased. This is commonly done using a mechanical compressor. During compression, the gas molecules are packed closer together, leading to a reduction in volume.
There are a few key points to keep in mind about gas compression:
There are a few key points to keep in mind about gas compression:
- When gas is compressed, its pressure often increases if temperature stays constant.
- Compression work is often expressed as a negative value, indicating energy input to the system.
- Efficient compressors can minimize energy losses, making them important in engineering and industrial applications.