NOTE

P H Y S I C S

THERMODYNAMICS
CYCLIC PROCESS

What you already know What you will learn

• Total work done • Slope of an adiabatic process

• Standard thermodynamic processes • Cyclic process
• General graphs • Polytropic process
• Adiabatic process • Molar heat capacity

Slope of an Adiabatic Process

γ
We know that the adiabatic processes satisfy the condition of PV = Constant (say k). By
differentiating the given equation with respect to volume, we get,
d
dV
(
PV γ = 0 ) P

dP γP
⇒ Pγ V γ − 1 + V γ =
0 m = tan θ = −
dV V
dP γP
⇒ = −
dV V P
Therefore, at any instance, the slope of the P-V curve is
given by,
γP θ
m = tan θ = −
V O V V

BOARDS
Cyclic Process

It is a process in which the system repeats its thermodynamic P

state after each cycle. After the completion of a cycle, the system
comes back to its initial state. The study of cyclic processes is
essential as it helps to understand the working of different heat A B
engines.
Consider a cyclic process A-B-C-D-A consisting of two isobaric (A-B
and C-D) and two isochoric (B-C and D-A) processes as shown in
the adjacent figure. D C
Internal energy is a state function and only depends on the initial
and final states of the system. In each cycle, the initial and final O V
states of the system are the same, i.e., same temperatures.

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Therefore, the change in internal energy (ΔU)

of the system in a complete cycle is zero. P P
According to the first law of thermodynamics,
the work done by the system (W) is equal to A B
the heat supplied (ΔQ) to the system.
We know that the work done by the system
is given by the area under the P-V curve.
Therefore, the work done by the system D C D C
in going from state A to B is shown in the
O V O V
adjacent figure.
Similarly, the work done by the system in going from state C to D is P
shown in the figure. Since the volume of the system is decreasing, it
will be negative. A B
Therefore, the net work done in one cycle will be the area bounded by
the cycle on the P-V curve as shown in the adjacent figure.
If the order of the process was reversed, in other words, if the given D C
cyclic process was A-D-C-B-A, then the net work done by the system in
one cycle would be negative (of the original work done). O V

If the given cycle on the P-V curve is in the clockwise direction, then the work done by the
system will be positive, and if it is in the anticlockwise direction, then the work done will
be negative.

Example

Find the work done in the given cyclic process. P

π
(A) ( P2 − P1 )
2

4 P2
π
(B ) (V2 − V1 )
2

4
π P1
(C ) ( P2 − P1 )(V2 − V1 )
4
(D ) None of these O V1 V2 V

Solution

We know that the work done in a cycle is the area bounded by the P-V graph. It will be positive
since the cycle is in the clockwise direction. The cycle is in the shape of an ellipse having the
semi-major axis as V2 − V1 and the semi-minor axis as P2 − P1 .
2 2

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Hence, the work done by the system is given by,

V −V P −P π
W = π × 2 1 × 2 1 =(V2 − V1 ) ( P2 − P1 )
2 2 4
Thus, option (C) is the correct answer.

MAIN
Polytropic Process

It is a thermodynamic process that can be expressed as follows:

PV x = Constant

x (Polytropic exponent) Type of standard process Expression

0 Isobaric (dP = 0) P = Constant

1 Isothermal (dT = 0) PV = Constant

𝛾 Adiabatic (δQ = 0) PV 𝛾 = Constant

∞ Isochoric (dV = 0) V = Constant

x=0

The graphical representation of the polytropic processes

according to their expressions is as shown in the adjacent
graph. x=1
𝛾 > x > 1
x=𝛾
x=∞
O Vi Vf V

• The slope of the P-V graph gets steeper with an increase in the polytropic exponent. At
x = ∞, the plot turns into a straight line parallel to the P-axis.
• The adiabatic and isothermal curves originate from the same state. The adiabatic curve
is the one that has a steeper slope.

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The work done in the polytropic process, PV x = c, is given by,

Vf

W= ∫ P dV
Vi
Vf

c ∫ V − x dV
⇒W =
Vi
Vf
V − x + 1 
⇒W =
c 
 1 − x V i

cV V f − cVi − xVi
f
−x

⇒W =
1−x
Pf V f − PV
i i
⇒W =
1−x
nR∆T
⇒W =
1−x
The change in heat according to the first law of thermodynamics is given by,
∆Q =∆U + W
f nR∆T
⇒∆= Q nR∆T +
2 1−x

Example

2 moles of a monatomic ideal gas undergo a process, V 2T 3 = Constant. If the temperature is doubled,
find the work done by the gas. (Given: The initial temperature is T0)

Solution

V 2T 3 Constant
= = c (Assume)
3
 PV 
⇒ V2  =c
 nR 
⇒ P 3V 5 =c′
5
c ′′
⇒ PV 3 =
5
It is a polytropic process with exponent x = .
3
Hence, the work done by the gas in the process (T0 → 2T0 ) is given by,
nR∆T
⇒W =
1− x
2R × T0
⇒W =
5
1−
3
⇒ W = − 3RT0

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Example
3
Find the work done in the thermodynamic process defined by the relation, P 3 T 2 = Constant, to
change the temperature of the system by ΔT?

Solution
3
Assume that P 3T 2 = c (Constant)
3
 PV  2
⇒P  3
 = c
 nR 
9 3
c′
⇒P V = 2 2

2
 9 3 9 2
( ) 9 = c′′
⇒  P 2V 2  =c ′
 
1
⇒ PV 3 = c ′′
The work done in the polytropic process is given by,
nR∆T
W=
1−x
nR∆T
⇒W =
1
1−
3
3nR∆T
⇒W =
2

MAIN
Molar Heat Capacity

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one mole of a substance by 1 °C is known
as the molar heat capacity.
The molar heat capacity is given by,
C ∆Q 1 dQ
C=
n = =
n n ∆T n dT
Or,
ΔQ = nCn ΔT
From the first law of thermodynamics, we get,
ΔQ = ΔU + W
Due to W being different for different processes, the change in heat (ΔQ) and the molar heat
capacity (Cn) are process-dependent quantities.

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Now,
f
nCn ∆T= nR ∆T + W
2
f W
⇒ Cn = R+
2 n∆T

For adiabatic process

The heat exchange does not take place (ΔQ = 0). Hence, for an adiabatic process, we get,
CQ = 0.

For isothermal process

The temperature of the system remains constant (ΔT = 0). Hence, for an isothermal process, we get,
CT = ∞.

For isochoric process

The volume of the system remains constant. Therefore, the work done is zero (W = 0).
f
⇒ CV = R
2
It is known as the molar heat capacity of the gas at a constant volume.

For isobaric process

In an isobaric process, the pressure of the system remains constant and the work done is given by,
PΔV = nRΔT
f nR∆T  f 
⇒ CP = R + =  + 1 R
2 n ∆T 2 

Mayer’s relation
It is the difference between the molar heat capacities at constant pressure and volume.
f  f
CP − CV =  + 1  R − R
2  2
⇒ CP − CV = R (Mayer’s relation)

Gas ratio (𝛾)

The gas ratio (𝛾) is given by,
f 
 + 1 R
CP 2  = 1+ 2
𝛾= = 
CV f f
R
2

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Atomicity CV CP 𝛾

3 5 5
Monatomic R R
2 2 3

5 7 7
Diatomic or triatomic linear R R
2 2 5

4
Triatomic (nonlinear) 3R 4R
3

For any general process

∆Q =∆U + W
f nR∆T  nR∆T 
⇒ nC ∆T= nR∆T +  Work done in a general polytropic process= 1 − x 
2 1− x  
f R
⇒ C= R+
2 1−x
For infinitesimal changes in Q, U , and W , we can write,
dQ
= dU + dW
f
⇒ nC dT= nRdT + P dV
2
f P dV
⇒ C= R+
2 n dT

Example
7
An ideal monatomic gas goes through a process, PV 8 = Constant. Find the molar specific heat
capacity for this process.

Solution

It is a polytropic process with the following exponent:

7
x=
8

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Hence, the molar heat capacity is given by,

f R
C
= R+
2 1−x
3R R
⇒C= +
2 7
1−
8
3R
⇒C= + 8R
2
19R
⇒C =
2

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