ME2121 – THERMODYNAMICS

Concept Questions – Entropy

Does the temperature in the Clausius inequality relation have

to be absolute temperature? Why?
Ans:
Yes. Because we used the relation (QH/TH) = (QL/TL) in the
proof, which is the defining relation of absolute temperature.

Does a cycle for which ∫ δQ > 0 violate the Clausius inequality?

Why? Ans:
No. The cyclic integral of δQ represents the net heat transfer
during a cycle, which could be positive.

Does the cyclic integral of heat have to be zero (i.e., does a

system have to reject as much heat as it receives to complete a
cycle)? Explain.
Ans:
No. A system may reject more (or less) heat than it receives
during a cycle. The steam in a steam power plant, for example,
receives more heat than it rejects during a cycle.
A system undergoes a process between two fixed states first in
a reversible manner and then in an irreversible manner. For
which case is the entropy change greater? Why?
Ans:
The entropy change will be the same for both cases since
entropy is a property and it has a fixed value at a fixed state.

2
Is the value of the integral ∫ δQ / T the same for all processes
1

between states 1 and 2? Explain.

Ans:
No. In general, that integral will have a different value for
different processes. However, it will have the same value for all
reversible processes.

2
How do the values of the integral ∫ δQ / T compare for a
1

reversible and irreversible process between the same end

states?
Ans:
The value of this integral is always larger for reversible
processes.
The entropy of a hot baked potato decreases as it cools. Is this
a violation of the increase of entropy principle? Explain.
Ans:
No. Because the entropy of the surrounding air increases even
more during that process, making the total entropy change
positive.

The entropy of steam will (increase, decrease, remain the same)

as it flows through an actual adiabatic turbine.
Ans:
Increase

What three different mechanisms can cause the entropy of a

control volume to change?
Ans:
They are heat transfer, irreversibilities, and entropy transport
with mass
A rigid tank contains an ideal gas at 40°C that is being stirred
by a paddle wheel. The paddle wheel does 200 kJ of work on
the ideal gas. It is observed that the temperature of the ideal
gas remains constant during this process as a result of heat
transfer between the system and the surroundings at 25°C.
Determine the entropy change of the ideal gas.

Ans:
Assume the gas is ideal and stirred by a paddle wheel. The gas
temperature stays constant as a result of heat transfer out.
Determine entropy change of the gas. If the temperature and
the specific value of the gas remain constant, the initial and
final state of the gas are the same. Hence zero entropy change.
Air is compressed by a 8-kW compressor from P1 to P2. The air
temperature is maintained constant at 25°C during this
process as a result of heat transfer to the surrounding medium
at 10°C. Determine the rate of entropy change of the air. State
the assumptions made in solving this problem.
Ans:
Assume steady process. Zero change in kinetic energy and
potential energy. Air is an ideal gas. The process involves no
internal irreversibilities such as friction. Hence it is isothermal
and internally reversible. Since T1 = T2, h1 = h2 from energy
balance for steady flow system
 in = E
E  out

this means rate of net energy transfer by heat, work and mass
is zero. Also, rate of change in internal energy = 0.
 out = 12kW
 in = Q
Hence, W
For isothermal internally irreversible process
 out ,air 12kW
Q

∆S air = − = = −0.0403 kW / K
Tsys 298 K

Note: Concept questions available under Feature Articles at

www.geocities.com/AS_Mujumdar until March 15, 2002.
Also, available on course website.