What Are the Key Thermodynamics Concepts in These Questions?

In summary, the conversation discusses the value of a partial derivative in thermodynamics as temperature approaches 0, the minimum power consumption of a heat pump, and how measurements of heat capacity can be used to determine differences in entropy between equilibrium states at different temperatures. The concept of the cyclic rule, Carnot efficiencies, and the third law of thermodynamics are also mentioned.
  • #1
CAF123
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Homework Statement


a)What value does ##\left(\frac{\partial U}{\partial V}\right)_T## tend to as T tends to 0?

b)A heat pump delivers 2.9kW of heat to a building maintained at 17oC extracting heat from the sea at 7oC. What is the minimum power consumption of the pump?

c)Explain how a measurement of ##C_v## can be used to determine the difference in entropy between equal volume equilibrium states at different temperatures.

Homework Equations


Cyclic rule, Carnot efficiencies, third law of thermodynamics

The Attempt at a Solution



a)I used the cyclic rule here and wrote $$\left(\frac{\partial U}{\partial V}\right)_T \left(\frac{\partial V}{\partial T}\right)_U \left(\frac{\partial T}{\partial U}\right)_V = -1$$ to give $$\left(\frac{\partial U}{\partial V}\right)_T = -\frac{C_v}{V \beta_U}$$ where ##C_v## is the constant volume heat capacity and ##\beta_U## is the thermal expansivity at constant U. I think both the thermal expansivity and heat capacity both tend to 0 as T goes to 0, so overall the quantity of interest goes to 0 too. Is this okay?

b) I am a bit confused of the set up (see attached for what I think is going on). Generally for a heat pump the efficiency is defined as Q1/W, where Q1 is the heat supplied to some region and W is the work you had to do to supply the heat. If the heat pump operates between two reservoirs, then max efficiency is T1/(T1-T2), where T2 is the lower temperature reservoir (the sea in this case).

c) ##Q = \int T dS \Rightarrow## $$\left(\frac{\partial Q}{\partial T}\right)_V \equiv C_v = \frac{\partial}{\partial T} \int T dS = \int dS + \int T \left(\frac{\partial S}{\partial T}\right)_V$$ Is this helpful?

Many thanks.
 

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  • #2
For part c, if the heat is added reversibly at constant volume,

dqrev=CvdT

dS = dqrev/T

So,...?

Chet
 

Related to What Are the Key Thermodynamics Concepts in These Questions?

1. What is thermodynamics?

Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that deals with the relationship between heat and other forms of energy, and how energy is transferred within a system.

2. What is the first law of thermodynamics?

The first law of thermodynamics, also known as the law of conservation of energy, states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or converted from one form to another.

3. What is the second law of thermodynamics?

The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of an isolated system will never decrease over time. In other words, the amount of disorder or randomness in a system will always tend to increase.

4. What is the difference between an open and closed system in thermodynamics?

An open system allows for the exchange of matter and energy with its surroundings, while a closed system does not allow for the exchange of matter but can exchange energy. An isolated system does not allow for the exchange of either matter or energy.

5. How is temperature related to thermodynamics?

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles within a system. In thermodynamics, it is used to determine the direction of heat flow and the efficiency of energy transfer within a system.

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