ME-1100 Thermodynamics

July - Nov 2023

Tutorial – 1

1. Classify the following quantities as extensive or intensive:

(a) P, (b) T, (c) V , (d) E + PV, (e) PT/V, (f) P/T, (g) PV/T 2

2. A variable  depends on temperature (T) and volume (V). The change in the value of  is written as,
𝑅𝑇
(𝐴𝑇 2 + 𝐵𝑇 + 𝐶)𝑑𝑇 + 𝑑𝑉
𝑉
A, B, C and R, are constants. Determine if  is a property or not.

3. Discuss the path independence of the following

quantities, for the paths A-B-C, A-D-C, and A-C: D (1, 3) C (2, 3)

P (bar)
3 3 3 3
(i)  pdV , (ii)  Vdp , (iii)
1 1
 pdV + Vdp , (iv)
1
 pdV − Vdp
1

A (1, 2) B (2, 2)

V (m3)
4. Consider a thin horizontal tube 1 m long sealed at both ends. The middle 10 cm of the tube contains
mercury and the rest of the tube contains air at atmospheric pressure (= 76 cm of mercury). The tube is
now brought to a vertical position. How far will the mercury fall? Assume that changes in the pressure
and volume of the air are related by PV = constant. [2.94 cm]

5. A cylinder of 25.25 cm dia in which a

piston is retained by a spring contains 0.01 m3 of air.
A mercury manometer connected to the cylinder
initially reads as shown in the figure. The air is now
heated steadily until the piston rises slowly a distance
of 20 cm. At any instant during this process, the
bottom surface of the piston and the mercury
meniscus in the open limb are at the same level.
10 cm

Assume that the weight of the piston is negligible and Air

that the density of mercury is 13600 kg/m3 and that
the atmospheric pressure is 1 bar. Find (a) the initial
and the final pressures of the air in the cylinder and (b)
the relation between the pressure p and the volume V
of the air. [(a) 113342 N/m2, 166710 N/m2; (b) pair =
patm + ρg{0.1 + 39.94 × (V – 0.01)}]

1
6. A gas is contained in a piston cylinder mechanism at an initial pressure
of 1 bar. The piston diameter is 15 cm and it rests on stops initially as
shown in the figure. The piston weight is such that it requires a
pressure of 1.2 bar to be lifted from the stops. The gas is now heated
which causes the piston to rise slowly. After a rise of 10 cm, the piston
touches a linear spring with a stiffness value of 10 N/mm. The heating
of the gas is finally stopped when the spring is compressed by 1 cm. 25 cm
Gas
Determine the work interaction for the gas, piston, spring and the
atmosphere. Also sketch the process undergone by the gas on a PV
diagram and show the four work interactions mentioned above by hatching the appropriate areas.
[233.67 J, -38.86 J, -0.509 J, -194.3 J]

7. Consider the frictionless piston-cylinder arrangement shown in the Patm

figure, in which two pistons are connected by a thin rod of negligible
mass and volume. A certain amount of air is enclosed in the space
between the pistons such that the piston assembly is initially in

Air
equilibrium. The cross-sectional area of the upper piston is 10 cm2 Q
greater than the lower one. The combined mass of the pistons is 5 kg. A
very slow heating process now takes place as a result of which the
piston assembly moves upward by 25 cm. Determine (a) the initial
pressure of the air, (b) the work interaction for the piston assembly, (c)
Patm
the work interaction for the atmosphere and (d) the work interaction for
5 2
air. Take Patm = 10 Pa. Sketch the process undergone by the air on a PV diagram. [(a) 149050 N/m ; (b)
12.2625 J; (c) 25.0 J; (d) 37.2625 J]

8. Tank A shown in the figure has a volume of 0.4 m3 and contains argon gas at 250 kPa. Cylinder B contains
a frictionless piston of mass such that a pressure of 150 kPa is required
to lift it. The connecting valve is opened allowing the argon gas to flow A B
into the cylinder. Eventually the argon gas reaches a uniform state.
Determine (a) the final pressure (b) the work interaction for the argon
gas, piston and the atmosphere. Take the atmospheric pressure to be
100 kPa. Any change in the state of the argon gas is related through PV
= constant. [(a) 150 kPa; (b) 40000 J, -13333.5 J, 26667 J]