Thermodynamics

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1.8 moles of an ideal gas initially at -5 oC and 1.7 atm underwent a complete expansion against a constant external pressure of 1atm and did 1.1kJ of work. Calculate ∆𝑈, ∆𝐻, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞 for this process.

Step 1: Extract all relevant information from the problem
Step 2: We have three of four variables for the initial state so we solve for the fourth (R=0.08206Latm/Kmol)

Step 3: Use the given value for work to solve for the missing volume
Remember to plug in correct units! For pressure, SI units that should be used are Pa! (recall 1atm = 1.013x10^5Pa)

Step 4: We now have 3 of 4 variables for the final state so we can solve for Tf
Step 5: We now have a complete state function for the initial and final state. We can solve for ΔU, ΔH, q
Note: Cv=(3/2)(R) and Cp=(5/2)(R) R=8.314J/Kmol


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