First Law of Thermodynamics

Conservation of Energy for Thermal Systems

Joule Equivalent of Heat

James Joule showed that mechanical energy could be converted to heat and arrived at the conclusion that heat was another form of energy. He showed that 1 calorie of heat was equivalent to 4.184 J of work. 1 cal = 4.184 J

Energy
Mechanical Energy: KE, PE, E Work is done by energy transfer. Heat is another form of energy. Need to expand the conservation of energy principle to accommodate thermal systems.

1st Law of Thermodynamics

Consider an example system of a piston and cylinder with an enclosed dilute gas characterized by P,V,T & n.

1st Law of Thermodynamics

What happens to the gas if the piston is moved inwards?

1st Law of Thermodynamics

If the container is insulated the temperature will rise, the atoms move faster and the pressure rises. Is there more internal energy in the gas?

1st Law of Thermodynamics

External agent did work in pushing the piston inward. W = Fd =(PA)Dx

Dx

W =PDV

1st Law of Thermodynamics

Work done on the gas equals the change in the gases internal energy,

Dx

W = DU

1st Law of TD
Lets change the situation: Keep the piston fixed at its original location. Place the cylinder on a hot plate. What happens to gas?

Heat flows into the gas. Atoms move faster, internal energy increases. Q = heat in Joules DU = change in internal energy in Joules.

Q = DU

1st Law of TD
What if we added heat and pushed the piston in at the same time?
F

1st Law of TD
Work is done on the gas, heat is added to the gas and the internal energy of the gas increases!
F

Q = W + DU

1st Law of TD
Some conventions: For the gases perspective: heat added is positive, heat removed is negative. Work done on the gas is positive, work done by the gas is negative. Temperature increase means internal energy change is positive.

1st Law of TD
Example: 25 L of gas is enclosed in a cylinder/piston apparatus at 2 atm of pressure and 300 K. If 100 kg of mass is placed on the piston causing the gas to compress to 20 L at constant pressure. This is done by allowing heat to flow out of the gas. What is the work done on the gas? What is the change in internal energy of the gas? How much heat flowed out of the gas?

 Po = 202,600 Pa, Vo = 0.025 m3, To = 300 K, Pf = 202,600 Pa, Vf=0.020 m3, Tf= n = PV/RT. W = -PDV DU = 3/2 nRDT Q = W + DU W =-PDV = -202,600 Pa (0.020 0.025)m3 =1013 J energy added to the gas. DU =3/2 nRDT=1.5(2.03)(8.31)(-60)=-1518 J Q = W + DU = 1013 1518 = -505 J heat out