10 THERMODYNAMICS OF GASES

Topic Learning Outcomes

10.1 Heat capacities (a) Define heat capacity, specific heat capacity and molar heat
capacity;
(b) Use the equations:
𝑄 = 𝐶∆𝜃, 𝑄 = 𝑚𝑐∆𝜃, 𝑄 = 𝑛𝐶𝑣,𝑚 ∆𝜃 and 𝑄 = 𝑛𝐶𝑝,𝑚 ∆𝜃;
10.2 Work done by a gas (c) Derive and use the equation for work done by a gas 𝑊 = ∫ 𝑝𝑑𝑉;

10.3 First law of (d) State and apply the first law of thermodynamics 𝑄 = ∆𝑈 + 𝑊;
thermodynamics (e) Deduce the relationship ∆𝑈 = 𝑛𝐶𝑣,𝑀 ∆𝑇 from the first law of
thermodynamics;
(f) Derive and use the equation 𝐶𝑝,𝑀 − 𝐶𝑣,𝑀 = 𝑅
(g) Relate 𝐶𝑣,𝑀 and 𝐶𝑝,𝑀 to the degrees of freedom;
𝐶𝑝,𝑀
(h) Use the relationship 𝛾 = 𝐶𝑣,𝑀
to identify the types of molecules;

10.4 Isothermal and (i) Describe the isothermal process of a gas;

adiabatic changes (j) Use the equation pV = constant for isothermal changes;
(k) Describe the adiabatic process of a gas;
(l) Use the equations 𝑝𝑉 𝛾 = constant and 𝑇𝑉 𝛾−1 = constant for
adiabatic changes;
(m) Illustrate thermodynamic processes with p-V graphs;
(n) Derive and use the expression for work done in the
thermodynamics processes.

10.1 Heat Capacity

− Heat is energy that is transferred between a system and its environment due to a temperature
difference that exists between them.
− Heat capacity is the amount of energy needed to increase the temperature of one body by 1 K.
𝑄
𝐶=
∆𝜃
− Specific heat capacity is the amount of energy needed to increase the temperature of 1 kg of
material by 1 K.
𝑄
𝑐=
𝑚∆𝜃
− Molar heat capacity is the amount of energy needed to increase the temperature of 1 mole of
material by 1 K.
𝑄
𝑐𝑀 =
𝑛∆𝜃
− The relation between C, c and 𝑐𝑀
𝐶 = 𝑚𝑐 = 𝑛𝑐𝑀
− Specific heat capacity is heat capacity per unit mass.
− Molar heat capacity is heat capacity per unit mole.
− Heat capacity and specific/molar heat capacity is the measurement of how thermally insensitive a
substance is to the addition of energy that can cause a change of temperature. Object that has higher heat
capacity or specific/molar heat capacity tends to heat up/cool down slower.
Example 1
A 0.050 kg of metal is heated to 200 o C and then dropped into a beaker containing 0.400 kg of water
initially at 20.0oC. If the final equilibrium temperature of the mixed system is 22.4 o C, find the specific
heat capacity of the metal.
Solution:
Heat loss by metal = Heat gained by water
MmetalcmetalTmetal = mwatercwaterTwater
(0.050) cmetal(200 – 22.4) = (0.400)(4200)(22.4 – 20.0)
cmetal = 454 J kg−1 K−1

− For solid and liquid, the variation in heat capacity and specific/molar heat capacity is negligible whether
the object is heated at constant volume or constant pressure.
− However, for gas molecules, the heat capacity and specific heat capacity varies significantly depending
on whether the object is heated at constant volume or constant pressure.
When gas is heated at constant pressure or constant volume, heat is needed in both cases to increase the
internal energy of the gas. However, when gas is heated at constant pressure, extra heat is needed due to
additional external work done by the gas during expansion. Hence, molar heat capacity of gas at constant
pressure, 𝑐𝑝,𝑀 > molar heat capacity of gas at constant volume, 𝑐𝑣,𝑀 .

Example 2
The specific heat capacity and the molar mass of copper and aluminium at room temperature are shown
below:
Metals Specific heat capacity/ J kg−1 K−1 Molar mass/ g mol−1
Copper 386 63.5
Aluminium 900 27.0
Calculate the molar heat capacity of copper and aluminium.
Solution:
𝑚𝑐 = 𝑛𝑐𝑀
𝑚
𝑚𝑐 = 𝑐𝑀
𝑀
𝑐𝑀 = 𝑀𝑐
Molar heat capacity of copper = 63.5 × 10 × 386 = 24.5 J mol−1 K−1
−3

Molar heat capacity of aluminium = 27.0 × 10−3 × 900 = 24.3 J mol−1 K−1

Example 3
When a copper cube of side 2.0 cm is immersed into a perfectly insulated container filled with 1.0 kg of
water at 5 o C, the temperature of water rises to 7 o C. Assuming no heat loss to the surroundings, calculate
the original temperature of the cube.
[Density of copper = 8900 kg m−3, specific heat capacity of water = 4180 J kg−1 K−1 and specific heat
capacity of copper = 385 J kg−1 K−1]
 Solution:
The heat required to raise the water temperature 2 C is
Q = mwatercwaterTwater
= (1.0) (4180) (2)
= 8360 J
Heat loss by copper cube = heat gained by water
mcopperccopperTcopper = mwatercwaterTwater

(8900) (0.02)3 × (385) Tcopper = 8360

Ti – 7 = 304.976
Ti = 312 C

10.2 Work done by Gas

− Work done by gas

𝑊 = ∫ 𝐹⃗ ∙ d𝑠⃗ where 𝐹⃗ = Force, s⃗ = displacement
= ∫ 𝑝𝐴 ∙ ds⃗
= ∫ 𝑝 ∙ d𝑉 where p = pressure, V= volume, A = area under the p-V curve

− During an expansion, volume increases. Work is said to be done by the gas. Word done has a positive
value. On the other hand, during compression, volume decreases. Work is said to be done on the gas. Here
work done has a negative value.
− In a clockwise cyclic change, net work done has a positive value. Likewise, in an anticlockwise cyclic
change, net work done is negative
− Work done = 0 during a change of gas at constant volume (Isovolumetric change).
− Work done, 𝑊 = 𝑝∆𝑉 = 𝑝(𝑉2 − 𝑉1 ) = 𝑛𝑅(𝑇2 − 𝑇1 ) during a change of gas at constant pressure
(Isobaric change).
10.3 First Law of Thermodynamics
− First Law of Thermodynamics
𝑄 = ∆𝑈+W
where Q = Heat supplied to gas molecules
∆𝑈= Increase in internal energy of gas molecules
W = Work done by gas molecules
− First law of Thermodynamics is a statement from the principle of conservation of energy. Applying
work-energy theorem, the heat supplied Q is used to increase the internal energy ∆𝑈 of the gas
molecules and enable the gas molecules to do work W during expansion.
− Internal energy is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy of all gas molecules in the system.
− Any bulk kinetic energy of the system due to its motion through space is not included in internal energy.
In other words, the internal energy of a system is the total kinetic energy (due to random motion) and
potential energy of the molecules in the system. Since the potential energy of ideal gas = 0, therefore, the
internal energy of n moles of an ideal gas,
𝑓
𝑈 = 𝑛 𝑅𝑇
2
where f = degrees of freedom, R = molar gas constant, T = absolute temperature.
− Heat and work are ways of changing the internal energy of a system.
− Heat is energy being transferred, not energy contained in an object. Furthermore, a large-mass object, or
an object made of a material with high specific heat capacity, can contain more internal energy than a
higher temperature object of less mass or lower specific heat capacity.
− Energy transfer by heat, like work done, depends on the initial, final, and the intermediate states of the
system.

Relation between 𝒄𝒑,𝑴 and 𝒄𝒗,𝑴

Proving
Using the First Law of Thermodynamics, prove that 𝑐𝑝,𝑀 - 𝑐𝑣,𝑀 = R

Consider one mole of gas at initial state A undergoes two different processes. In the 1st process, the gas is
heated at constant volume (isovolumetric process) from state A to state B. Whereas in the 2nd process, the
gas is heated at constant pressure (isobaric process) from state A to state C.

− Consider the 1st process from A to B

From the first law of thermodynamics,
𝑄 = ∆𝑈+W
Since, Q = 𝑐𝑣,𝑀 ∆𝑇 and W = 0 as no work is done,
We have, ∆𝑈 = 𝑐𝑣,𝑀 ∆𝑇
− Consider the 2nd process from A to C
Again from the first law of thermodynamics,
𝑄 = ∆𝑈+W
Since, Q =𝑐𝑝,𝑀 ∆𝑇 , W = 𝑝∆𝑉 and as the gas at state C is heated from same initial state A and ends at the
same final temperature as in the state B (state B and C are on the same isotherm), the gas incurs the same
change in internal energy,
∆𝑈 = 𝑐𝑣,𝑀 ∆𝑇
Therefore,
𝑐𝑝,𝑀 ∆𝑇 = 𝑐𝑣,𝑀 ∆𝑇 + 𝑝∆𝑉
From the ideal gas equation,
𝑝∆𝑉 = 𝑅∆𝑇
Hence,
𝑐𝑝,𝑀 ∆𝑇 = 𝑐𝑣,𝑀 ∆𝑇 + 𝑅∆𝑇
𝑐𝑝,𝑀 = 𝑐𝑣,𝑀 + 𝑅
𝑐𝑝,𝑀 − 𝑐𝑣,𝑀 = 𝑅

𝒄𝒑,𝑴
Ratio of the Principal Molar Heat Capacities, 𝜸 = 𝒄𝒗,𝑴

Consider n mole of gas with f degrees of freedom heated from a temperature of T to𝑇 + ∆𝑇. The change
in internal energy of the gas,
𝑓
∆𝑈 = 𝑛 𝑅∆𝑇
2
∆𝑈 𝑓
= 𝑛 𝑅 … (1)
∆𝑇 2
For n mole of gas heated at constant volume, the change in internal energy of the gas, ∆𝑈 = 𝑛𝑐𝑣,𝑀 ∆𝑇.
∆𝑈
= 𝑛𝑐𝑣,𝑀 … (2)
∆𝑇
Comparing equation (1) with (2),
𝑓
𝑛 𝑅 = 𝑛𝑐𝑣,𝑀
2
𝑓
𝑅 = 𝑐𝑣,𝑀 … (3)
2
Since, 𝑐𝑝,𝑀 − 𝑐𝑣,𝑀 = 𝑅
𝑓
𝑐𝑝,𝑀 = 𝑅+𝑅
2
(𝑓 + 2)
𝑐𝑝,𝑀 = 𝑅 … (4)
2
Dividing equation (4) with (3), we have the ratio of the principal molar heat capacities,
𝑐𝑝,𝑀
𝛾=
𝑐𝑣,𝑀
𝑓+2
=
𝑓
2
=1+
𝑓
− At room temperature:
Monoatomic Diatomic Polyatomic
Degrees of freedom, f 3 5 6
Mean kinetic energy of 3 5 3𝑘𝑇
𝑘𝑇 𝑘𝑇
𝑓 2 2
one molecule, 2
𝑘𝑇

Mean kinetic energy of 1 3 5 3𝑅𝑇

𝑅𝑇 𝑅𝑇
𝑓 2 2
mole, 2
𝑅𝑇

𝑓 3 5 3𝑅
𝑐𝑣,𝑀 = 2
𝑅 𝑅 𝑅
2 2
𝑓+2 5 7 4𝑅
𝑐𝑝,𝑀 = 𝑅 𝑅 𝑅
2 2 2
𝑐𝑝,𝑀 5 7 4
𝛾 = 𝑐𝑣,𝑀 = 1.67 = 1.40 = 1.33
3 5 3

Example 4
The molar heat capacity of a certain ideal gas constant volume is 24.95 J K-1 mol-1. A cylinder containing
2.0 mol of the gas at 320 K is heated at constant volume to 350 K.
(a) Calculate the amount of heat required to heat the gas.
(b) Calculate the molar heat capacity of the gas at constant pressure.
(c) Determine the ratio of molar heat capacity at constant pressure to molar heat capacity at constant
volume of the gas.
(d) Determine the degree of freedom of the gas.

Solution:
(a) Q = n CV,m T
= 2(24.95)(350 – 320)
= 1497 J

(b) Cp,m = CV,m + R

= 24.95 + 8.31
= 33.26 J K1 mol1
Cp,m
(c)  
CV,m

33.26

24.95
= 1.33

2
(d)   1 
f

2
f 
(  1)

2
= 1.33−1 = 6
10.4 Isothermal and Adiabatic Change

Reversible Change
− A particle is in equilibrium if the net force acting on it is zero. In thermodynamics, a gas is in
𝑝𝑉
equilibrium if its state does not change with time and obeys = constant. (i.e. if the gas is in
𝑇

equilibrium, the pressure and volume can be defined clearly, e.g. a state/point on the p-V diagram)
− A reversible change in the state of a gas is a process where the gas is taken from an equilibrium state to
another equilibrium state through a number of small steps (quasistatic steps) where the gas is always in
equilibrium at every intermediate step. The gas will take on its original values when it is returned to where
it started by taking the same steps in the opposite direction.
− A reversible change is represented by a smooth continuous curve in the p-V diagram.
− An irreversible change occurs when the gas is brought from one equilibrium state to another equilibrium
state with many intermediate non-equilibrium states. The gas can return to its initial state however the
path is not traceable.

Isothermal Change

− An isothermal change is a change in the state of a gas that occurs at constant temperature.
− Isothermal change obeys Boyles’ Law, 𝑝𝑉 = constant.
− For a fixed temperature of T1, when the volume of gas changes, the pressure of the gas varies
accordingly. The changes of the states are represented by the smooth hyperbolic curve called isotherm.
− Since temperature is constant, the internal energy of the gas molecules remains constant.
− From the first law of thermodynamics,
𝑄 = ∆𝑈 + 𝑊
Since, U = 0,
𝑄=𝑊
 Heat supplied to the system = work done by gas (during expansion)
 Heat lost in the system = work one on gas (during compression)
− In practice, in order for the isothermal process to be carried out:
 thin-walled, good thermal conductor is used to contain the gas. (Heat can easily be transferred
in or out from the gas)
 The process is carried out very slowly. (Heat can be transferred in or out from the gas at every
instant to maintain its temperature at every instant, i.e., gas stays in equilibrium at the same
constant temperature)
 The cylinder is surrounded by a constant temperature bath. (A body whose mass is so large that,
ideally, its temperature does not change significantly when heat is exchanged with the gas
system)
 A light frictionless piston is used.
− Perfectly reversible isothermal change is impossible as the temperature of gas molecule changes before
the heat is transferred through the walls of the cylinder.

Work done in an Isothermal Change

Work done in expansion,

𝑉2
𝑊 = ∫ 𝑝d𝑉
𝑉1

𝑉2
𝑛𝑅𝑇
=∫ d𝑉
𝑉1 𝑉

𝑉
= 𝑛𝑅𝑇 ln[𝑉]𝑉21

𝑉2
𝑊 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇 ln
𝑉1

Note:
𝑝
 As 𝑝1 𝑉1 = 𝑝2 𝑉2, so W = 𝑛𝑅𝑇𝑙𝑛 𝑝1
2

𝑝 𝑝
 From the ideal gas equation, 𝑝𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇, so W = 𝑝1 𝑉1 𝑙𝑛 𝑝1 = 𝑝2 𝑉2 𝑙𝑛 𝑝1
2 2
Example 5
Two moles of a monatomic ideal gas, initially at 0 oC and 1.01 × 105 Pa, is expanded to twice its original
volume, using two different processes. It is expanded first isothermally and then, starting in the same
initial state, at constant pressure. Determine the work done by the gas in each case.
Solution:
Isothermal process
𝑉2
𝑊 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇 ln
𝑉1
2𝑉
= 2 × 8.31 × 273 ln
𝑉
3
= 3.14 x 10 J
Isobaric process
From the ideal gas equation,
𝑝𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇
1.01 × 105 𝑉 = 2 × 8.31 × 273
𝑉 = 0.0449237 m3
𝑊 = 𝑝V
= 1.01 × 105 (2 × 0.0449237 − 0.0449237)
= 4.54 × 103 J

Example 6
Two moles of an ideal gas maintained at 20o C expand until the pressure is one-half the original. How
much work is done by the gas?
Solution:
𝑉2
𝑊 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇𝑙𝑛
𝑉1
𝑉
= 2 × 8.31 × (273 + 20) ln
0.5𝑉
3
= 3.38 × 10 J

Example 7
What do you understand by an isothermal process of an ideal gas, and derive an expression for the work
done in the process?
Solution:
Isothermal process is a change of state of gas without change of temperature.
V2
W=  V1
pdV

V2 nRT
= 
V1 V
dV

= nRTln V V12
V

V2
= nRT ln
V1
Example 8
(a) (i) What is meant by work done in an isolated gas system?
(ii) Differentiate between internal energy and heat of a gas system.
(iii) State the first law of thermodynamics and the meaning of each symbol used.
(b) An isolated system of 3.0 moles of an ideal gas is initially at pressure p1 and volume V1. It is then
allowed to expand at constant temperature T = 350 K to new pressure p2 and new volume V2 which is
twice the initial volume V1,
(i) Sketch the p – V diagram to show the expansion process and shade the region representing the
work done during the process.
(ii) Find the work done during the process.

Solution:
(a) (i) W = ∫ p ∙ dV where p = pressure and V = volume
(ii) Internal energy is the sum of the total kinetic energy and potential energy of all the molecules in
the gas.
(iii) Net heat flow into a gas system is the sum of the increase in its internal energy and the work
done by the gas system.
Q  U+W
where Q  Heat flows into the gas system
U  Increase in internal energy of the gas system
W  Work done by the gas system
(b) (i)

V 
(ii) W  nRT ln 2 
 V1 

 2V1 
 3 8.31 (350) ln  
 V1 
 6.048  103 J
 Adiabatic Change
− An adiabatic change is a change in the state of a gas that occurs where no heat enters or leaves the
system.
− From the first law of thermodynamics.
𝑄 = ∆𝑈 + 𝑊
Since, Q = 0,
∆𝑈 = −𝑊
 During an adiabatic expansion, W = positive, ∆𝑈 = negative
 The decrease in internal energy implies part of that energy is used to do external work.
 The temperature of the gas molecules decreases.
− In practice, in order for the adiabatic process to be carried out:
 the process is carried out quickly so that heat that flows slowly has no time to flow in or out
(Rapid volume changes where there is no time for heat transfer),
 the gas is inside a perfect insulator cylinder.
− When a gas is compressed adiabatically, the increase in pressure is greater than that produced by a
similar isothermal compression because
 Increase in temperature causes the kinetic energy of the gas molecules to increase
2 𝑁 1
 From the equation, 𝑝 = ( ) 𝑚〈𝑐 2 〉, the increase in both the density of the gas and kinetic
3 𝑉 2

energy increases the pressure further.

− Examples of adiabatic changes
 In compression of diesel engine, the rapid increase in the temperature ignites the air-fuel mixture
spontaneously.
 In propagation of sound waves in air, the rapid vibration of air molecules in air (an insulator)
produces compression and rarefaction region.
 The temperature of air decreases as the altitude increases. As a parcel of air is pushed upward, it
moves into a region of lower pressure, so it expands and does work on its surroundings. The drop
in internal energy leads to a decrease in temperature of the air.

Adiabatic Equations
− For n mole of molecules experience an adiabatic volume change of ∆𝑉, its temperatures changes by
∆𝑇. From the first law of thermodynamics,
𝑄 = ∆𝑈 + 𝑊
0 = ∆𝑈 + 𝑊
0 = ∆𝑈 + 𝑝∆𝑉
𝑛𝑅𝑇
0= ∆𝑈 + 𝑉
∆𝑉

𝑛𝑅𝑇
0= 𝑛𝐶𝑉,𝑀 ∆𝑇 + ∆𝑉
𝑉

𝑛𝑇
0= 𝑛𝐶𝑉,𝑀 ∆𝑇 + 𝑉
(𝐶𝑃,𝑀 −𝐶𝑉,𝑀 )∆𝑉

∆𝑇 ∆𝑉
0= 𝐶𝑉,𝑀 + (𝐶𝑃,𝑀 −𝐶𝑉,𝑀 )
𝑇 𝑉

∆𝑇 𝐶 ∆𝑉
0= 𝑇
+ (𝐶𝑃,𝑀 − 1) 𝑉
𝑉,𝑀

∆𝑇 ∆𝑉
0= 𝑇
+ (𝛾 − 1) 𝑉
 𝑑𝑇 𝑑𝑉
0= 𝑇
+ (𝛾 − 1) 𝑉

𝑑𝑇 𝑑𝑉
∫ + ∫(𝛾 − 1) = ∫0
𝑇 𝑉
𝑙𝑛𝑇 + (𝛾 − 1)𝑙𝑛𝑉 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝑇𝑉 𝛾−1 = constant

From the ideal gas equation,

𝑝𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇
𝑝𝑉
𝑇=
𝑛𝑅
Hence,
𝑝𝑉 𝛾−1
𝑉 = constant
𝑛𝑅

𝑝𝑉 𝛾 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
Note: Even though there are specific equations for change of state for adiabatic changes, do take note that
the ideal gas equation 𝑝𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇 still holds true. In fact, irrespective of how an ideal gas experience
changes, whether changes occurs at constant pressure, volume, temperature etc. as long as the gas is ideal,
the ideal gas equation can be still be used.

Example 9
A helium gas of volume 500 cm3 at a pressure of 1.0 × 105 Pa and temperature of 300 K is compressed
adiabatically to half its original volume. Determine the new pressure and the new temperature of the gas.
Solution:
𝑝1 𝑉1 𝛾 = 𝑝2 𝑉2 𝛾
𝑉1 𝛾
𝑝2 = ( ) × 𝑝1
𝑉2
𝑉 1.67
=( ) × 1.0 × 105
0.5𝑉
= 2.64 × 105 Pa
𝑇1 𝑉1 𝛾−1 = 𝑇2 𝑉2 𝛾−1
𝑉1 𝛾−1
𝑇2 = ( ) × 𝑇1
𝑉2
= 396 K

Graphical representation of Isothermal and Adiabatic Process

For an isothermal process,

𝑝𝑉 = 𝑐
𝑑 = 𝑑
(𝑝𝑉) (𝑐)
𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑉

𝑑 𝑑 = 0
𝑝 𝑉+𝑉 𝑝
𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑉
Gradient of p-V graph,
𝑑𝑝 = 𝑝
−
𝑑𝑉 𝑉

For an adiabatic process,

𝑑 = 𝑑
(𝑝𝑉 𝛾 ) (𝑐)
𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑉
𝑑 𝛾 𝑑 = 0
𝑝 𝑉 + 𝑉𝛾 𝑝
𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑉
𝑑 𝛾−1 𝑑 = 0
𝛾𝑝 𝑉 + 𝑉𝛾 𝑝
𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑉
Gradient of p-V graph,
𝑑𝑝 = 𝑝
−𝛾
𝑑𝑉 𝑉
Therefore, the magnitude of gradient of the adiabatic curve is greater than that of the isothermal
(isotherm).

Work done during Adiabatic Expansion

For n mole of gas at an initial state of 𝑝1 , 𝑉1 and 𝑇1 that experience expansion to final state of
𝑝2 , 𝑉2 and 𝑇2 ,
Work done by gas,
𝑊 = 𝑉2
∫ 𝑝𝑑𝑉
𝑉1

= 𝑉2
𝑐
∫ 𝑑𝑉
𝑉1 𝑉𝛾

= 𝑉2
𝑐 ∫ 𝑉 −𝛾 𝑑𝑉
𝑉1

= 𝑉2
𝑉 1−𝛾
𝑐∫ 𝑑𝑉
𝑉1 1−𝛾
 = 𝑉2
𝑐
∫ 𝑉 1−𝛾 𝑑𝑉
1 − 𝛾 𝑉1

= 𝑐
[𝑉 1−𝛾 ]𝑉𝑉21
1−𝛾
= 1
[𝑐𝑉 1−𝛾 ]𝑉𝑉21
1−𝛾
= 1 1−𝛾 1−𝛾
[𝑝 𝑉 𝛾 𝑉 − 𝑝1 𝑉1 𝛾 𝑉1 ]
1−𝛾 2 2 2
= 1
[𝑝 𝑉2 − 𝑝1 𝑉1 ]
1−𝛾 2

` = 1
[𝑛𝑅𝑇2 − 𝑛𝑅𝑇1 ]
1−𝛾
= 1
[𝑛𝑅∆𝑇]
1−𝛾
= 𝑓
− [𝑛𝑅∆𝑇]
2

= −∆𝑈

In a cyclic change, the heat and work depends on the path. The change in internal energy is independent
of the path taken but depends on the initial and final state of the gas.

Example 10
(a) Deduce from the first law of thermodynamics, the change in internal energy of a gas after undergoing
an adiabatic process.
(b) A diatomic gas of 𝛾 = 1.40 initially at a temperature of 250 K, a pressure of 150 kPa and a volume of
2.35 × 10−2 m3 undergoes an adiabatic expansion to a volume of 4.00 × 10−2 m3 .
(i) Determine the final temperature of the gas.
(ii) Calculate the work done by the gas.

Solution:
(a) From the First law of thermodynamics, Q = U + W
Since in adiabatic process, Q = 0
 U = W
The work done on the gas is equal to the change in internal energy

(b) (i) Adiabatic change for  = 1.4

TV  1 = constant
T 1V1g -1 = T 2V2g -1

æ 2.35´10-2 ö
g-1 1.4-1
æV ö
 T2 = T1 çç ÷÷ = 250 çç
1 ÷
-2 ÷
è V2 ø è 4.00 ´10 ø
= 202 K

(ii) P1V1g = P2V2g

 P2 = 71.24  103 Pa
1
Wadiabatic = ( P2V2  PV
1 1)
1 
-1
W= (150 ´103 ´ 2.35´10-2 - 71.24 ´103 ´ 4 ´10-2 )
1-1.4
= 1.689  103 J