MODULE – 6

______________________________________________________________________________
Calculations for Ideal Gases
______________________________________________________________________________

Contents
6.1 Process Calculations
6.2 Isothermal Process
6.3 Isobaric Process
6.4 Isochoric Process
6.5 Adiabatic Process
6.6 Polytropic Process
6.7 Irreversible Processes
6.8 Worked out examples
6.9 Exercise
______________________________________________________________________________
6.1. Calculations
______________________________________________________________________________
Calculation of heat and work involved in a process for ideal gases is important because
most of the gases can be approximated as ideal gases upto few bars of pressure. This assumption
helps us in using simple equations. We derive such equations applicable for different
mechanically reversible processes in the following sections. Equations will be derived to
compute ΔU, ΔH, Q and W for such conditions.

______________________________________________________________________________
6.2. Isothermal Process
______________________________________________________________________________
Constant temperature processes are known as isothermal processes. Considering a closed
system process and the work done by a mechanical reversible process, when written for a unit
mass or a unit mole of a substance, the first law written as
M‐06‐1
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
In section 3.7.1, it was obtained that

Similarly in section 3.7.2,

For constant temperature, 0 ∴ 0

On integration Δ Δ 0
=0
The first law for the closed system is

∴ ⟹ for ideal gas

∴ ∵

_____________________________________________________________________________

6.3. Isobaric Process

______________________________________________________________________________

We have and

Let and are constant. Then Δ and Δ

Q Δ (in section 3.5 it is proved)

_____________________________________________________________________________
6.4. Isochoric Process
______________________________________________________________________________

Here also Δ

Δ
0
0

Q Δ (Proved in section 3.4)

M‐06‐2
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
____________________________________________________________________________
6.5. Adiabatic Process
______________________________________________________________________________
There is no heat interaction between system and surroundings.

∴ 0
0
Then the first law

⟹ For ideal gas

On integration

Now, we have for ideal gas

When differentiated

⟹ ----(6.1)

⟹ 1 Let

⟹ 1 ⁄ -----(6.2)

Then -----(6.3)

M‐06‐3
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
 We have for ideal gas

⟹ ∙

⟹ --------(6.4)

From equation (6.3) and (6.4)

⟹ ----------(6.5)

Equations (6.3), (6.4) and (6.5) can be alternately expressed as

------(6.6)

------(6.7)

------(6.8)
0
Now first law

∴ Δ

⟹ Δ

⟹ ---------(6.9) 1

Also and

∴ ------(6.10)

M‐06‐4
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
 Equation (6.9) can be rearranged as

⟹ 1 -----(6.11) Substituting equation (6.4)

Also 1 -----(6.12)

______________________________________________________________________________
6.6. Polytropic Process
______________________________________________________________________________

For this process

The following relations can also be easily obtained

We know that which can also be written as

. 1

Now we have

M‐06‐5
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
 ⟹

1 -----(6.13)

To obtain an expression for Q, the first law is Δ

⟹ Δ

Here

We know that 1

∴ 1 1

⟹ 1 ------(6.14)

M‐06‐6
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
The paths of polytropic processes can be characterized by assigning specific values for δ.

 Isobaric process: δ=0

 Isothermal process: δ=1
 Adiabatic process: δ=γ
 Isochoric process: δ=∞

These paths has been illustrated in the following figure fig.6.1.

V
Fig. 6.1: Different processes
______________________________________________________________________________
6.7. Irreversible Processes
______________________________________________________________________________
All above equations developed so far are applicable for mechanically reversible closed
systems of ideal gases. The equations obtained for dU, dH, ΔU and ΔH give property changes
and are applicable for ideal gases irrespective of the process, i.e., valid for reversible as well as
for irreversible changes. Where as, the equations obtained for Q and W are valid only for the
said change. The calculation of work for an irreversible process involves a two-step procedure.
First, W is computed for a reversible process accomplishing the same change of state. This
result is multiplied or divided by an efficiency to give the actual work. If the process produces
work, the absolute value for the reversible process is large and should be multiplied with

M‐06‐7
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
efficiency. If the process requires work, the actual work can be obtained by dividing the
reversible work with the efficiency.

______________________________________________________________________________
6.8. Worked out examples
______________________________________________________________________________
E.6.1. Show how eqns.(6.13) and (6.14) reduce to the appropriate expressions for the four
particular values of δ listed above.

Solution:-

0 ⟹

1 1

(Verified)

∙ ∙

Here ∙ ∙

∴ (Verified)

For 1

Now →
(it gives , so apply L` hospitals rule)

→
(use identity

M‐06‐8
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
 ∙ ∙

∴ (proved)

∙ ∙
‐1
∙ ∙

∙ (proved)

For

Substitute

∴ 1

Put ∴ 0

Hence Q = 0 (proved)

⟹ (for ∞)

M‐06‐9
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
 1

Taking →
0

(proved)

E.6.2. One kmol of an ideal gas having Cp = (7/2)R and Cv = (5/2)R expands from P1 = 8 bar
and T1 = 600 K to P2 = 1 bar by each of the following paths: (a) constant volume (b)
constant temperature and (c) adiabatic. Assume mechanical reversibility, calculate W, Q,
ΔU and ΔH for each process. Sketch each path on a single PV diagram.

Solution:- 8314 ⁄ .

29100 ⁄ .

20785 ⁄ .

8 8 10 1 10

600

(a) Constant volume process

1
⟹ 600 75
8

Δ 20725 75 600 1.09 10 /

M‐06‐10
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
 Δ 29100 75 600 1.528 10 /

(b) Constant Temperature Process

Δ ΔH 0

8314 600 1.37 10 /

(c) Adiabatic process

C
γ 1.4
C
r .
r .
⟹ 600 331.2

20785 331.2 600

5.586 10 /

Δ Δ 29100 331.2 600

7.822 10 /

Summary of the results: (All quantities are in /

Constant V Constant T adiabatic

W 0 1.037 10 5.586 10
Q 1.09 10 1.037 10 0
Δ 1.09 10 0 5.586 10
Δ 1.528 10 0 7.822 10

To sketch these paths on a PV diagram, we should know the values of V

(a) 6.236 /
.
(b) 49.88

γ
(c) 27.54

M‐06‐11
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
E.6.3. One mole of air initially at 150oC and 8 bar undergoes the following mechanically
reversible changes. It expands isothermally to a pressure such that when it is cooled at constant
volume to 50oC its final pressure is 3 bar. Assuming air an ideal gas for which Cp = (7/2)R and
Cv = (5/2)R, calculate W, Q, ΔU and ΔH.

Solution:- The sequence of steps are

4.396 10 8.951 10 8.951 10

8 3.929 3

423 423 323

1 isothermal 2 Constant V 3
8.314 /
.
4.396 10

.
8.951 10

.
⟹
.

3.929 10

3.929
M‐06‐12
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
 For path 1-2: isothermal process

Δ Δ 0

8.314 423
.

2500 /

For path 2-3: constant volume process

Δ Δ 8.314 323 423

2078 /

Δ Δ 8.314 323 423

2910 /

Combining both steps, then

0 2500 2500 /

2500 2078 422 /

ΔU ΔU ΔU 0 2078 2078 /

ΔH ΔH ΔH 0 2910 2910 /

For path 123; ΔH 422 2500 2078 ΔU (verified)

E.6.4. An ideal gas flows through a horizontal tube at steady state. No heat is added and no
shaft work is done. The cross-sectional area of the tube changes with length and this
causes the velocity to change. Derive an equation relating the temperature to the velocity
of the gas. If nitrogen at 150oC flows past one section of the tube at a velocity of 2.5 m/s,
what is its temperature at another section where its velocity is 50 m/s? Take Cp = (7/2)R.

Solution:- We have
0 0 0
ΔH ΔE ΔE Q W All terms in this equation

have the units of J/kg

⟹ Δ 0 ∴

M‐06‐13
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
 ⟹ 0 R=8314 J/kmol.K

⟹ ⁄ .

.
Now 150 148.8 ∴ 1039 ⁄ .

E.6.5. One mole of an ideal gas with constant heat capacities undergoes an arbitrary
mechanically reversible process. Show that

Solution:- Δ Δ

We know that for any process

Δ Δ

We obtain that 1⟹

(for ideal gas)

Δ (proved)

E.6.6. A process consists of two steps: (1) one mole of air at T = 800 K and P = 4 bar is cooled
at constant volume to T = 350 K, (2) the air is then heated at constant pressure until its
temperature reaches 800 K. If this two step process is replaced by a single isothermal
expansion of air from 800 K and 4 bar to some final pressure, what is the value of
pressure that makes the work of the two processes the same? Assume mechanical
reversibility and treat air as an ideal gas with Cp = (7/2)R and Cv = (5/2)R.

Solution: 800 350 800

4 1.75 1.75

0.01663 0.01663 0.038

1 Constant V 2 Constant P 3

M‐06‐14
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
 8.314 800
0.01663
4 10

4 350
. 1.75
800

0.01663 800
. 0.038
350

For path 1-2: 0, for path 2-3: Δ 1.75 10 0.038 0.01663

3740

Using the same work, for isothermal expansion of air

⟹ 3740 8.314 800

.
⟹ 0.5623 ⟹ 1.755
.

⟹ 2.28
.

E.6.8. An ideal gas Cp = (5/2)R and Cv = (3/2)R is changed from P1 = 1 bar and =12 m3 to
P2 = 12 bar and = 1 m3 by the following mechanically reversible process

 Isothermal compression

Calculate W, Q, ΔUt and ΔHt.

Solution:- 0

But 10 12

12 10

2.982 10

M‐06‐15
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
______________________________________________________________________________
6.9. Exercise
______________________________________________________________________________
P.6.1. One mol of an ideal gas, initially at 30oC and 1 bar is changed to 130oC and 10 bar by
three different mechanically reversible processes:

 The gas is first heated at constant volume until its temperature is 130oC. Then it
is compressed isothermally until its pressure is 10 bar.
 The gas is first heated at constant pressure until its temperature is 130oC, then it is
compressed isothermally to 10 bar.
 The gas is first compressed isothermally to 10 bar, then it is heated at constant
pressure to 130oC.
Calculate Q, W, ΔU and ΔH in each case. Take Cp = (7/2)R and Cv = (5/2)R.
P.6.2. One mole of an ideal gas, initially at 30oC and 1 bar undergoes the following
mechanically reversible changes. It is compressed isothermally to a point such that when
it is heated at constant volume to 120oC its final pressure is 12 bar. Calculate Q, W, ΔU
and ΔH in each case. Take Cp = (5/2)R and Cv = (3/2)R.

P.6.2. Repeat problem E.6.8 for the following processes:

 Adiabatic compression followed by cooling at constant pressure

 Adiabatic compression followed by cooling at constant volume
 Heating at constant volume followed by cooling at constant pressure
 Cooling at constant pressure followed by heating at constant volume

P.6.3. An ideal gas, initially at 25oC and 1 bar, undergoes the following cyclic processes in a
closed system:

(a) In mechanical reversible processes, it is first compressed adiabatically to 5 bar, then

cooled at a constant pressure of 5 bar to 25oC, and finally expanded isothermally to its
original pressure.

(b) The cycle is irreversible and each step has an efficiency of 80% compared with the
corresponding mechanically reversible process. The cycle still consists of an
adiabatic compression step, an isobaric cooling step and an isothermal step.

Calculate Q, W, ΔU and ΔH for each step of the process and for the cycle. Take
Cp = (7/2)R and Cv = (5/2)R.

M‐06‐16
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh
P.6.4. One cubic meter of an ideal gas at 600 K and 1000 kPa expands to five times its initial
volume as follows:
(a) by a mechanically reversible isothermal process
(b) by a mechanically reversible adiabatic process
(c) by an adiabatic reversible process in which expansion is against a restraining pressure
of 100 kPa.

For each step calculate the final temperature, pressure and the work done by the gas.
Cp = 21 J/(mol . K)

M‐06‐17
Thermodynamics
Prepared by Dr K.V. Ramesh