A heat engine with 0.300 mol of a monatomic ideal gas initially fills a 1000 cm3 cylinder at 500 K. The gas goes through the following closed cycle: - Isothermal expansion to 5000 cm3. - Isochoric cooling to 400 K. - Isothermal compression to 1000 cm3. - Isochoric heating to 500 K.

Complete Question:

A heat engine with 0.300 mol of a monatomic ideal gas initially fills a 1000 cm3 cylinder at 500 K. The gas goes through the following closed cycle: - Isothermal expansion to 5000 cm3. - Isochoric cooling to 400 K. - Isothermal compression to 1000 cm3. - Isochoric heating to 500 K.

a) what is the work for one cycle

b) what is the thermal efficiency

Answer:

a) Work done for 1 cycle = 402.13

b) Thermal efficiency = 20%

Explanation:

Number of moles, n = 0.300 mol

Initial Volume, V₁ = 1000 cm³

Temperature, T = 500 K

Isothermal expansion to 5000 cm³

Final volume, V₂ = 5000 cm³

R = 8.314 J / mol. K

Work done, W = nRT ln (V₂/V₁)

W = (0.3 * 8.314 * 500) * ln (5000/1000)

W = 1247.1 * ln5

W₁ = 2007.13 J

Isochoric cooling

In an Isochoric process, volume is constant i. e. V₂ = V₁ = V

W = nRT ln (V/V)

But ln (V/V) = ln 1 = 0

Work done, W₂ = 0 Joules

Isothermal Compression to 1000 cm³

V₂ = 1000 cm³

V₁ = 5000 cm³

W = nRT ln (V₂/V₁)

W = 0.3 * 8.314 * 400 ln (1000/5000)

W₃ = - 1605 J

Isochoric heating to 500 K

Since there is no change in volume, no work is done

W₄ = 0 J

a) Work done for 1 cycle

W = W₁ + W₂ + W₃ + W₄

W = 2007.13 + 0 + 0 - 1605+0

W = 402.13 Joules

b) Thermal efficiency

Thermal efficiency = (Net workdone for 1 cycle) / (Heat absorbed)

Heat absorbed = Work done due to thermal expansion = 2007.13 J

Thermal efficiency = 402.13/2007.13

Thermal efficiency = 0.2

Thermal efficiency = 0.2 * 100% = 20 %