We will prove that pV = constant for adiabatic process.

. We need the Boltzmann Equipartition of Energy Theorem that states the energy associated with each degree of freedom is 1 RT for one mole of gas. So the energy for n 2 moles of gas with f degree of freedom is f 1 U = n f RT = nRT 2 2 From the First Law of Thermodynamics, we have dU = q w f nR dT = q 2 for isochoric process. But the heat change in isochoric process is also given by q = nCV,m dT. So, f nR dT = nCv,m dT 2 f CV,m = R 2 From the ideal gas equation pV = nRT d ( pV ) = d (nRT ) p dV + V dp = RT dn + nR dT which will reduce to p dV = nR dT only when p and n is constant and for an isobaric change (constant p), dU = q w f nR dT = nC p,m dT p dV 2 f nR dT = nC p,m dT nR dT 2 f C p,m = R + R 2 f +2 = R 2 Again from the First Law of Thermodynamics, we have dU = q w f nR dT = p dV 2 for adiabatic process because q = 0. Substitute p = nRT/V for ideal gas and rearrange, we have f dT dV = 2 T V 1

On integration with limits T = T2 when V = V2 and T = T1 when V = V1 , we have f 2

V2 dV dT = T1 T V1 V T2 V f ln = ln 2 2 T1 V1 T2 2 V ln = ln 1 T1 f V2 T2

Now, the ratio of molar heat capacities is given by = C p,m CV,m f +2 R = 2 f R 2 f +2 = f 2 = 1+ f

2 = 1 f So, continuing the results for the adiabatic change, we have ln ln T2 V2 T2 V = ( 1) ln 1 T1 V2 T2 = ln T1 V1 V2

1

= T1 V1 1

Finally, substitute T = pV/nR, we have p V p2 V2 1 V2 = 1 1 V1 1 nR nR p2 V2 = p1 V1