1

ME2121 Tutorial #1 (Chapter 2)

(August 2011)
Aims of Tutorial #1: The objectives of tutorial is to give the student an understanding
of simple gas law (Equation of state), temperature measurement (sensors) and their
errors or uncertainty, the basic processes (constant pressure, constant temperature,
etc.) in thermodynamic systems and the temperature scales (determination of the
numbers in a scale).

Q1.. The behaviour of an ideal gas in a thermodynamic system can be expressed by three
variables in an explicit form:

) exp ( evidence erimental an
v
RT
P =
where R is a gas constant; P, T and v are the pressure, temperature and specific volume of the
gas, respectively. Using simple mathematics, show that
(i) the variable, P, is a property of the thermodynamic system,
(ii) the remaining variables, T and v, as specified in the given relation, are independent of
each other.
(Hint: Read up the requirements of exact differentials and the test for independency of an exact
function.)
______________________________________________________________________________
Solution:

(i) From mathematics, the total elemental change
in pressure, (P= P (T,v) ) is given by

dv
v
P
dT
T
P
dP
t cons held T at
v to P of partial
T
t cons held v at
T to P of partial
v
al differenti Total

tan tan
|
.
|

\
|

+ |
.
|

\
|

=

where
v
T
P
|
.
|

\
|

and
T
v
P
|
.
|

\
|

are the partial derivatives at constant v and T, respectively, and dT and dv

are elemental changes in T and v.

For the variable P to be a property of a thermodynamic system, it must exhibit two characteristics:

(i) the continuum characteristics, i.e., satisfy the

requirements of exactness (mathematically
described as);
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|

T v
P
v T
P
2 2
.
Piston-Cylinder assembly
representing a thermodynamic system
P,V, T
work
gases
2
Thus, with the ideal gas equation or the equation of state (EOS), P = RT/v, and
differentiating, we have

v
R
T
P
v
= |
.
|

\
|

, and
2
v
RT
v
P
T
= |
.
|

\
|

;


and the second order differentiation are
2
2
v
R
v T
P
=
|
|
.
|

\
|

, and
2
2
v
R
T v
P
=
|
|
.
|

\
|

, (proved).
Thus, satisfying one of the requirements of property in a thermodynamic system.
(ii) The test for independency

(also known as the uniqueness test); the products of partial
derivatives of variables in the function P = P(T,v) must give (-1), i.e.,
1 = |
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|

T P v
P
v
v
T
T
P
.

Now, invoking the equation of state (EoS) of an ideal gas, P= RT/ v, differentiating the
function for the respective partials give

v
R
T
P
v
= |
.
|

\
|

; and
R
P
v
T
P
= |
.
|

\
|

; and
2
P
RT
P
v
T
= |
.
|

\
|

.

Now, substituting these into the test for independency, we obtain


1
2
= |
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
= |
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|

P
RT
R
P
v
R
P
v
v
T
T
P
T P v
(Proved, since Pv=RT).


Thus, we conclude that the given equation of state (Pv = RT) has its variables, P, T and v to be
independent of each other meaning that one could fixed one variable constant whilst the other two
variables could be varied in an independent manner within the thermodynamic system.
For example,










____________________________________________________________________
Piston is locked by a
pin therefore,
Volume (V) is fixed
P,T
When heat transfer (Q) occurs
across the system boundary,
both P and T would change to
describe the new state of
gases inside the cylinder
This is an example which
demonstrates the
independency of V with
respect to P and T.
The purpose of this tutorial
exercise is to increase your
appreciation how classical
thermodynamics is linked to
mathematics. It is not just
engineering applications.
same
3
Q2. A mass of gas is trapped in a cylinder fitted with a leak-proof piston. The initial temperature and
pressure of the gas are 30C and 3 bar. The pressure of the gas in the cylinder is then reduced to 2.5
bar and its temperature is increased to 60C.

Describe qualitatively, how you would conduct the above-mentioned process in a quasi-static
manner. You may make suitable assumption(s) about the boundary and the surroundings. Would
friction between the wall and piston affect your answer?

(No exact answer for this question. You should read up on the basic definitions and the concept of
heat and work interactions for a simple system).

Solution:
Initial state: P
1
= 3 bar, T
1
= 303 K (30
o
C),
Final state: P
2
= 2.5 bar, T
2
= 333 K (60
o
C).

By definition, a quasi-static process is one when
it is executed, only an infinitesimal changes in
the properties in the system occur. Such
infinitesimal changes in the system would not
affect the state of the surroundings.

How many quasi-static processes are available? For example, constant pressure, constant volume
and the polytropic (varying P and V or P and T) are such processes. Assumptions used in the system
boundaries are:
(i) The boundary wall of cylinder is insulated (no heat loss). Heating or cooling can only be
done by coming into contact with a surface of higher or lower temperature.
(ii) The piston is loaded with many elemental weights which can either be removed to decrease
pressure in the cylinder or added on to increase the gas pressure.

















Because the processes are conducted in an infinitesimal manner, the effect of friction is not presence
since the latter is a function of quantum of force and the speed of interaction (rubbing action speed is
zero). Other quasi-static processes can also be used in your solution.
P
V
3 bar
2.5 bar
T
2
= 333 K
Isotherm T
1
= 303 K
A series of de-pressurization (blue) and heating (red) quasi-static
processes to simulate the isothermal path from point 1 to point A.
Pressure reduction is achieved by removal of elemental weights,
increase in temperature is by heating in small quantity.
A
This is then followed by a slow heating,
from point A to point 2.
1
2
Piston-Cylinder assembly representing
a thermodynamic system
gases
4
Q3. (a) Write down the thermometric property of a mercury-in-glass thermometer. The length of a
mercury column in a mercury-in-glass thermometer is 5 cm when it is in contact with water at triple
point. Calculate (a) the empirical temperature when the mercury length is at 6 cm; (b) the length of
mercury column when it is at steam point; (c) If X is measured with a precision of 0.01 mm, can this
thermometer be used to distinguish ice point and the triple point?

(b) If a temperature t
*
is defined by the equation

t
*
= a
2
+b

where a and b are constants, and is the empirical temperature defined by the mentioned mercury-
in-glass thermometer (above), determine the constants a and b when t
*
= 0 at ice point and t
*
= 100 at
steam point. Find the value of t
*
when the length of mercury column is 7 cm.

{Note: From mathematics, the error of a variable (f) is given by =
2
1

|
|
.
|

\
|

=
=
k i
i
xi
i
e
x
f
.}

Ans: Part (a): 327.79 K, 6.83 cm, (yes because the error of uncertainty is 0.00726 K, < 0.01 K),
Part (b): a= 1.547 x 10
-3
, b= -115.42, t
*
=110.82 degree.

Solution:
At the triple point (reference), the temperature is 273.16 K (0.01 K above freezing point of water).
(a) The thermometric property of a mercury-in-glass thermometer is

. 79 . 327
5
6
16 . 273
3
3
K
h
h
= |
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
(b) At steam point of water (373.15 K), the height of mercury (SI unit) in thermometer is

. 83 . 6 ,
5
16 . 273
10
10
15 . 373
2
3
2
3
cm h
h
x h
x h
= |
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

(c) The experimental uncertainty of a reading is given mathematically (refer to any text on numerical
analysis) by
2
1

|
|
.
|

\
|

=
=
k i
i
xi
i
e
x
f
. Here the function f =
|
|
.
|

\
|
3
3
h
h
or df /dh =
|
|
.
|

\
|
3
3
h

. Thus the
uncertainty (e) is given by
( ) ( ) . 07726 . 0 2 ) 10 01 . 0 (
10 5
16 . 273
10 01 . 0 10 01 . 0
2
3
2
2
int,
3
3
3
2
int,
3
3
3
2
1
3
K x x
x
x
h
x
h
e
x
f
e
h po the
of t measuremen
h po triple
of t measuremen
k i
i
xi
i
=
(

=
(

+
(

=
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
=

where x
i
refers to height measurement in the glass column. The answer (0.07726K) is higher than
the resolution needed for triple point measurement at 0.01K, above that of the ice-point (273.15 K)
and thus not sufficient to differentiate them apart.

5
For design point of view, the question one would ask is what will be the minimum accuracy in h
measurement so that one could differentiate the triple point from ice point, i.e., 0.01 K?
(ans: . 29 . 1 10 29 . 1 . 01 . 0 2 ) (
5
16 . 273
6
2
m or m x y K x e e
h
= =
(

==

)

(Along with understanding of coefficients of expansion for the liquid and glass tubing and bulbs (as
in example 2.3 in the notes), this tutorial relates to the accuracy calculations needed for the making
of a master thermometer).

(b) Here, t
*
is a derived temperature scale base on the empirical temperature, .

At ice point, the value 0= a (273.15)
2
+b
And 100 = a(373.15)
2
+b

Therefore a= 100 /(373.15
2
273.15
2
) = 1.547 E-3.
Hence, b = - 1.547 E-3 (273.15)
2
= -115.42

At h = 7 cm, = 273,16 (7/5) = 382.42 K.
Thus the t
*
scale will be = 1.547 E-3 (382.42)
2
115.42
= 110.82 degree.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q4. Write down the thermometric property of a constant-volume gas thermometer. The best
experimental value of vapour pressures between the ratio of the boiling to the ice point of water is
found to be
3661 . 1 =
i
s
P
P

where the subscripts s and i refer to the steam and ice points, respectively. If an engineer decides to
have an absolute temperature scale that divides equally in 50 divisions between the boiling and ice
points of water, show from first principles that the numerical numbers for such an absolute
temperature scale (called the S Scale for convenience) at these states of water are 137.57 S and
186.57 S, respectively.
(Hint: Two requirements for establishing a temperature scale are needed. check the lecture notes).
Solution:

The two requirements needed to define a temperature scale are
(i) The thermodynamic ratio between the P
steam-point
to P
ice-point
, when pressure of gas in
the constant volume gas bulb thermometer is zero, P
s
/P
i
=1.3661.
(ii) The arbitrary number of divisions between the ice and steam points at atmosphere
in this problem, we set A=50.

Thus we have
3661 . 1 =
i
s
P
P
(1)
6
and P
s
- _P
i
= 50 (2)

Solving the simultaneous equations,(substitute eq.1 in eq.2) gives

1.3661 P
i
P
i
= A= 50 therefore P
i
= 50/0.3661 = 136.57 degree.

Hence, P
s
= 136.57 +50 = 186.57 degree.















(This tutorial shows how the numerical numbers of absolute scales are obtained, eg., 273.15 for the
Kelvin scale (set A=100) and 491.67 for the Rankine scale (set A=180).

The only thermodynamic law applied here is the behavior of the gases in a constant volume gas-bulb
or the CVGB thermometer. In principle, one can use another sensor (for example, a balloon that
measures P and V) that follows the thermodynamic laws and the same results would also be obtained
for
steam
/
ice
= 1.3661 an experimental fact first obtained by Lord Kelvin.

Thus, there exist an infinite range of temperature scales one could design for by setting a numerical
value of A but this leads to much confusion. Hence, at the IPTS meetings in 1950s and 1960s,
scientists and engineers agreed to having only two standard empirical temperature scales, A=100
for the 100 divisions leading to the absolute Kelvin scale and A=180 (in honor of the work of
Fahrenheit) leading to the absolute Rankine scale.


P
3
(Torr)
P
s
/ P
3
1.3661
H
2
N
2
CO
2
250 500 750 0
An experimental result
from the CVGB
thermometer, using gases
to exhibit their behaviors
that abide the laws of
thermodynamics.
s the steam
point of water,
3- triple point of
water at atmosphere.