PRACTICE PROBLEMS ON SECOND LAW

MEL 140

Problem 1

Figure 1. Figure for Problem 1

Four cyclic engines operating between a high temperature reservoir at temper-

ature 1 and a low temperature reservoir at temperature 2 are shown in Figure
1(a)-(d). Using arguments based on the Kelvin-Planck/Clausius statement plus
the first law of thermodynamic, identify the perpetual motion machines among the
four.

Problem 2
Using the Kelvin Planck statement, construct a demonstration to show that
processes with friction conform to the definition of irreversible processes. If required
for the demonstration, you may introduce appropriate types of auxiliary cyclic
systems in the surroundings.
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2 MEL 140

[Hint: An example of such the method of contradiction (reductio ad absurdum)

appears in Section 5.2 of the 5th SI edition of Moran and Shapiro. Study this exam-
ple (and read around it, of course). Using two rubbing blocks sharing a horizontal
solid-solid contact plane, can you think of a demonstration does not use method of
contradiction.]

Problem 3
Consider an insulated tank containing a hot and cold liquids at the same pressure
separated by an impermeable membrane. When the membrane is ruptured the
liquids from the two chambers mix and come to a common temperature. Using
the Kelvin Planck statement, construct a demonstration to show that this process
conforms to the definition of irreversible processes. If required, you may introduce
appropriate types of auxiliary cyclic systems in the surroundings.