1

Now that we have T (and we were given volume and the number of moles), we can find the
pressure in a very straightforward fashion using the perfect gas law, i.e,

n RT (1 m ol )(8.3144672 × 10−2 bar d m 3 K −1m ol −1)(335 K )

p= = = 0.419 bar
V 66.5 d m 3
As we discussed previously, the change in internal energy is
ΔU = CV ΔT = n3RΔT = (1 m ol )(3)(8.3144672 J K −1 m ol −1)(335 K − 450 K ) = − 2868 J = − 2.87 k J

For the work, we know from the First law: ΔU = q + w

Since adiabatic, q = 0, and thus, w = ΔU = − 2.86 k J

In the problem above, to find the pressure, we first found the temperature, and then used the
perfect gas law. Can we find the pressure directly from the volume change?

2E.2 The change in pressure

We found
1
c
Tf
( Ti ) ( Vf )
Vi
=
pV
However, from the perfect gas law, we know that T =
nR
Therefore, can write the equation above as
1
c
pfVf
( piVi ) ( Vf )
Vi
= (since the 1/nR cancels out)

1 +1
c
pf
( pi ) ( Vf )
Vi
=

1 1+c R + CV,m Cp,m

But +1= = = = γ where we have used Cp,m = CV,m + R
c c CV,m CV,m

Therefore, pfVfγ = piViγ

Check: does this work for our previous example?

1 mol perfect gas

1 mol perfect gas

27.4 dm3
66.5 dm3

450.0K, 1.37 bar ?? K, ?? bar

 2

Cp,m 3R + R 4
γ = = =
CV,m 3R 3
γ 4/3

( Vf ) ( 66.5 d m 3 )
Vi 27.4 d m 3
pf = pi = 1.37 bar = 0.420 bar (same within round error of T)

Example #2: Argon expands reversibly and adiabatically to twice its initial volume. If the initial
pressure is 1.00 bar, what is the final pressure?
Argon is an atomic gas, therefore, assuming perfect gas behaviour,
Cp,m (3/2)R + R 5
γ = = =
CV,m (3/2)R 3
γ

(2)
5/3

( Vf )
Vi 1
pf = pi = 1.00 bar = 0.314 bar