Thermodynamics Flashcards
What is the equation of state for an ideal gas?
pV = uRT
What is an isotherm?
The pressure-volume curve for a fixed temperature
Define extensive state variables.
Variables indicating the size of the system, e.g., internal energy (U), volume (V), total mass (M)
Define intensive state variables.
Variables that do not depend on the size of the system, e.g., pressure (p), temperature (T), density (p)
True or False: Extensive variables change with the size of the system.
True
True or False: Intensive variables change with the size of the system.
False
What is a thermodynamic process?
A change in the state of a system or state variables over time
What characterizes a quasi-static process?
An infinitely slow process where the system remains in thermal and chemical equilibrium with surroundings
Fill in the blank: In a quasi-static process, the difference in pressure between the system and external pressure is ______.
infinitesimally small
What is an isothermal process?
A process that occurs at constant temperature
Give an example of an isothermal process.
Freezing of water at 0°C to form ice at 0°C
What is an isobaric process?
A process that occurs at constant pressure
Give an example of an isobaric process.
Boiling of water in an open container
What is an isochoric process?
A process in which volume is kept constant, meaning the work done by the system will be zero
Give an example of an isochoric process.
Heat given to a system with fixed walls
What is an adiabatic process?
A process that does not allow transfer of heat by or to the system
Give an example of an adiabatic process.
Rapid compression, like filling a bicycle tube by a hand pump
What distinguishes a cyclic process from a non-cyclic process?
In a cyclic process, initial and final states are the same; in non-cyclic processes, they are different
What happens to temperature during an isothermal process for an ideal gas?
Temperature remains constant
