Energetics and Equilibria Flashcards
Boltzmann distribution
As energy of a level increases its population decreases
As temperature is raised, molecules move to higher energy levels
Classical view of entropy equation
dS in terms of dq and T
If system absorbs heat, dq will be positive (endo) - dS will be positive implying S increases
dS inversely related to temperature
First Law of Thermodynamics
Energy cannot be created or destroyed but is just transformed from one form into another
Internal energy - analogous to potential energy in mechanical systems - ‘stored up’ energy
+ve - done to system
q - heat absorbed by system
w - work done by system
w’ = -w
(w’ is reverse of work done on system)
State functions and path functions
State function: value depends only on state of substance under consideration; same value for a given state (U)
Path function: value which depends on path which system takes going from A to B (q and w)
Ideal gas equation
pV = nRT
Work done by gas expansion (equation) - dw’
Force which system moves against is that due to the external pressure
dw = -dw’
(dw - work done on the gas)
Expansion against constant external pressure (equation) - w’
Assumes that internal pressure is always greater than external pressure (remember that as the gas expands the internal pressure will fall)
If external pressure exceeds the internal pressure, gas will be compressed: Vf < Vi so w’ -ve
When is work done a maximum
Work done in a reversible process is a maximum
Reversible processes:
- infinitely slow
- at equilibrium
- do maximum work
- one whose direction can be changed by an infinitesimal change in some variable
Irreversible processes (spontaneous):
- go at finite rate
- not at equilibrium
- do less than the max work
Reversible isothermal expansion of an ideal gas (equation and derivation)
For an isothermal expansion of an ideal gas
dU = ?
dU = 0
First Law:
0 = q - w’
w’ = q
Entropy change in an isothermal expansion of an ideal gas (equation)
S - state function
Expression for dS is valid for any isothermal expansion of an ideal gas from Vi to Vf, whether or not the expansion is carried out reversibly
Differential forms of First Law with pV (equation)
Constant volume processes with dU
Heat capacities with heat supplied and temperature rise (equation)
Both c and Cm
Internal energy (U) linked to specific heat capacity (C) - equation
For process taking place at constant volume, heat is equal to change in internal energy
dU = q(const. vol)
Definition of enthalpy (equation)
H = U + pV
H - state function
Constant pressure linking enthalpy and heat (equation)
Heat capacity at constant pressure linking enthalpy and temperature (equation)