ME 111: Thermodynamics 1

Problem Set No. 1

Introductory Concepts

1. Convert the following to the desired units:

a. 50 mi = ____________ yard
b. 1,000,000 oz = ___________ tons
c. 250 lb/in2 = ___________ tons/ft2
d. 10 pints/min = ____________ gal/hr
e. 3 tons/ft2 = __________ lb/in2
f. 25 L/sec = ___________ gal/min
2. The mass of a given airplane at sea level (g=32.1 fps 2) is 10 tons. Find its mass in lb, slugs and kg and
its gravitational weight in lb when it is travelling at 50,000 ft elevation. The acceleration of gravity decrease
by 3.33 x 10-6 fps2 for each foot of elevation.
3. A phoenix with a mass of 350 kg was a spacecraft used for exploration of Mars. Determine the weight of the phoenix
in N, (a) on the surface of mars where the acceleration of gravity is 3.73 m/s2 and (b) on Earth where the acceleration
of gravity is 9.81 m/s2.
4. At a grocery store you place a pumpkin with a mass of 12.5 lb on the produce spring scale. The spring in the scale
operates such that for each 4.7 lbf applied, the springs elongates one inch. If local acceleration of gravity is 32.2
ft/s2, what distance, in inches, did the spring elongate?
5. Given five masses:
m1 = 0.350 kgm
m2 = 10 lbf
m3 = 15 slugs
m4 = 500 kgf
m5 = 5 poundal

If the acceleration due to gravity is g = 30.2 ft/s2. Determine the total mass in (a) kgm (b) lbm (c) slug
6. A spherical copper ball has a diameter of 12 cm. Determine its weight, specific volume, specific weight, and specific
gravity.
7. A reservoir of glycerin has a mass of 1,200 kg and a volume of 0.952 m 3. Find its (a) weight, W (b) unit weight (c)
mass density (d) specific gravity
8. Core body temperature can rise from 98.6°F to 107°F during extreme exercise, such as a marathon run.
Such elevated temperatures can also be caused by viral or bacterial infections or tumors and are
dangerous if sustained.
(a) Convert the given temperatures to Celsius and find the difference.
(b) Convert the temperatures to Kelvin, again finding the difference.
9. A new scale N of temperature is divided in such a way that the freezing point of ice is 100°N and the
boiling point is 400°N. a.) Correlate this scale with the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales. b.) What is the
temperature reading on this new scale when the temperature is 150°C? c.) At what temperature both the
Celsius and the new temperature scale reading would be the same? d.) What is the absolute zero in °N?
10. Suppose you come across old scientific notes that describe a temperature scale called Z on which the
boiling point of water is 65.0Z and the freezing point is 14.0Z. To what temperature on the Fahrenheit scale
would a temperature of 98.0Z correspond? Assume that the Z scale is linear; that is, the size of a Z degree
is the same everywhere on the Z scale.
11. Convert the following temperatures into the desired units
 a. 110C = _______________0F
b. -83 0F = _______________R
c. 1340F = _______________0C
d. 410 R = _______________0C
e. -79.80F = _______________K

12. A swordfish jumps out of the water and the tip of its pointy upper jaw strikes a wooden wall of a fishing
boat with 7500 N of force. If the tip of the pointy jaw has an area of 0.0004 m 2, what pressure is placed
on the part of the wooden wall that is struck by the jaw?
13. A charity fundraiser fits 12 students into a small car. If the combined weight of the car and students is
1600 kg and the combined area of the wheels touching the ground is 0.08 m 2 , what is the pressure
placed on the ground by the car and students?
14. A football player is tackled by another player and lands with the combined weight of both players on his
knee. If the combined weight of the players is 2400 N and the player’s knee measures 0.1 m by 0.1 m,
how much pressure is exerted on the turf when the player lands on his knee?
15. Convert the following pressure into the desired units
a. 850 mmHg = _______________torr
b. 35.9 kPa =________________psi
c. 623.5 torr =________________cm water
d. 4000 Pa =_________________mm Hg
e. 360 psi =_________________bar

Due Date: October 3, 2023 (Tuesday) @ 8:30 AM