Energy and the First Law of

Thermodynamics – Sample Problems

THERMO1

B Y: N E I L S T E P H E N L O P E Z
DLSU MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

A S R E F E R E N C E D F R O M F U N D A M E N TA L S O F E N G I N E E R I N G T H E R M O D Y N A M I C S B Y M . M O R A N
AND H. SHAPIRO
 Energy Concepts from Mechanics
An automobile has a mass of
1200kg. What is its kinetic
energy, in kJ, relative to the
road when traveling at a
velocity of 50 km/h? If the
vehicle accelerates to 100
km/h, what is the change in
kinetic energy, in kJ?
KE = ½ m V2
V1 = 50 km/h = 13.89 m/s
V2 = 100 km/h = 27.77 m/s
a) KE1 = ½ (1200kg) (13.89 m/s)2
KE1 = 115,759.26 J = 115.759 kJ
b) KE2 = ½ (1200kg) (27.77 m/s)2
KE2 = 462,703.74 J = 462.703 kJ
∆KE = KE2 – KE1
∆KE = 346.944 kJ
 Energy Concepts from Mechanics
A block of mass 10kg moves along a
surface inclined 30° relative to the
horizontal. The center of gravity of
the block is elevated by 3m and the
kinetic energy of the block decreases
by 50 J. The block is acted upon by a
constant force R parallel to the
incline and by the force of gravity.
Assume frictionless surfaces and let g
= 9.81 m/s2. Determine the
magnitude and direction of the
constant force R, in N.
s
W=mg
y2
R WR = Rs
30°
y1 = 0
y2 = 3m
*Work done by weight of block is the
gravitational potential energy.
Let us do energy balance!
PE1 + KE1 + WR = KE2 + PE2
… Algebra… transpose.
WR = (KE2 – KE1) + (PE2 – PE1)
∆KE is -50J (decrease is the keyword)
WR = -50J + 10(9.81)(3 – 0)
WR = 244.3 J
where: s = y2/sin30°
R = 40.72 N
 Work

The two major forces opposing the motion of

a vehicle moving on a level road are the rolling P = (Force x distance) / time
resistance of the tires, FR, and the V = 55 mi/h = 80.67 ft/s
aerodynamic drag force of the air flowing
around the vehicle, Fd, given respectively by:
Calculate the rolling resistance and drag
FR = f°W
forces individually:
Fd = CdA½ρV2
where f and Cd are constants known as the FR = f°W
rolling resistance coefficient and drag FR = 0.02(3550 lbf) = 71 lbf
coefficient, respectively, °W and A are the
vehicle weight and projected frontal area, Fd = CdA½ρV2
respectively, V is the vehicle velocity, and ρ is
the air density. For a passenger car with °W = Fd = 0.34(23.3 ft2)(½)(0.08 lb/ft3)(80.67)2
3550 lbf, A=23.3 ft2, and Cd = 0.34, and when f Fd = 2062.14 lbf
= 0.02 and ρ = 0.08 lb/ft3.
Determine the power required, in hp, to PR = FRV = 5727.57 lbf-ft/s
overcome rolling resistance and aerodynamic
drag when V is 55 mi/h. Pd = FdV = 166,352.83 lbf-ft/s

P = Pd + PR
P = 172,080.4 lbf-ft/s = 312.8 hp
 Work
p1 = 30 lbf/in2
V1 = 25 ft3 = 43,200 in3
Air is compressed in a piston- W = -62 Btu = -578,958.48 lbf-in
cylinder assembly from an
initial state where p1 = Two unknowns (p2 and V2), so we need two
30lbf/in2, and V1 = 25 ft3. The equations:
relationship between pressure • p1V11.4 = p2V21.4  (1)
• W = (p2V2 – p1V1) / (1-n)  (2)
and volume during the process
is pV1.4 = constant. For the air Manipulating equation (1):
as the system, the work is – 62 p2 = p1(V1/V2)1.4  (3)
Btu. Determine the final Substitute (3) to (2) :
volume, in ft3 and the final W= P1(V1/V2)1.4(V2) – P1V1
pressure, in lbf/in2. 1–n
= P1V11.4/V20.4 – P1V1
1–n
V2 = 28,640.72 in3

Substitute V2 to (1):
P2 = 53.34 lbf/in2
 Heat Transfer

The 6-in thick frame wall of a house k = 0.0318 Btu/h-ft°R

has an area of 160 ft2 and an average A = 160 ft2
thermal conductivity of 0.0318 Btu/h- T2 = 70°F = 529.67°R
ft-°R. At steady state, the
temperature of the wall decreases T1 = 30°F = 489.67°R
linearly from 70°F on the inner x = 6 in = 0.5 ft
surface to 30°F on the outer surface.
Determine the rate of energy transfer Qcond = -kA(T2 – T1)
by conduction, in Btu/h. x

Simply substitute all given values:

70°F 30°F Qcond = - 407.04 Btu/h

6 in
 Energy Balance

Each line in the following table Simply do individual energy balances on all
processes (Ein = Eout)
gives information about a A) Q + E1 + W = E2
process of a closed system. 50 + E1 + 20 = 50
Every entry has the same E1 = -20
energy units. Fill in the blank ∆E = E2 – E1 = 70
B) Q + E1 = W + E2
spaces in the table. 50 + 20 = 20 + E2
E2 = 50
Process Q W E1 E2 ∆E ∆E = 30
C) W + E1 = Q + E2 where: E1 = E2 - ∆E
A +50 -20 +50 W + 40 = 40 + 60
B +50 +20 +20 W = 60
D) Q +W + E1 = E2 where: E1 = E2 - ∆E
C -40 +60 +20 Q + 90 + 50 = 50
D -90 +50 0 Q = -90
E) Q +W +E1 = E2 where: E1 = E2 - ∆E
E +50 +20 -100 50 + W + 20 = -80
W = -150
 Energy Balance
A closed system of mass 2kg
undergoes a process in which
there is heat transfer of
magnitude 25 kJ from the system
to the surroundings. The elevation
of the system increases by 700 m
during the process. The specific
internal energy of the system
decreases by 15 kJ/kg and there is
no change in kinetic energy of the
system. The acceleration of
gravity is constant at g = 9.6 m/s2.
Determine the work, in kJ.
Simply do energy balance (Ein = Eout):
PE1 + KE1 + U1 = PE2 + KE2 + U2 + Q + W
*If you noticed above, it was assumed first that
the work is coming out of the system.
∆PE = PE2 – PE1 = 2kg(9.6m/s2)(700m) = 13.4 kJ
∆KE = KE2 – KE1 = 0 (from given data)
∆U = U2 – U1 = (-15kJ/kg)(2kg) = -30 kJ
Q = 25 kJ
∆U = ∆PE + Q + W
30 kJ = 13.4 kJ + 25 + W
W = -8.4
Negative sign means initial assumption of Wout is
wrong. The correct direction is Win.
 Energy Balance
As shown in the figure below, 5kg of steam
contained within a piston-cylinder assembly
undergoes an expansion from state 1, where the Simply do an energy balance (Ein = Eout):
specific internal energy is u1 = 2709.9 kJ/kg, to state
2, where u2 = 2659.6 kJ/kg. During the process,
there is heat transfer to the steam with a magnitude Q + Wpw + U1 = U2 + Wpiston
of 80 kJ. Also, a paddle wheel transfers energy to the
steam by work in the amount of 18.5 kJ. There is no
significant change in the kinetic or potential energy Where:
of the steam. Determine the energy transfer by work Q = 80 kJ
from the steam to the piston during the process, in
kJ. U1 = (2709.9 kJ/kg)(5kg) = 13,549.5 kJ
U2 = (2659.6 kJ/kg)(5kg) = 13,298 kJ
Wpw = 18.5 kJ

Substitute all given values to energy

balance equation:

Wpiston = 350 kJ
 Energy Balance
A gas contained within a piston-cylinder assembly is shown in the figure. Initially, the piston face is at x = 0,
and the spring exerts no force on the piston. As a result of heat transfer, the gas expands, raising the piston
until it hits the stops. At this point the piston face is located at x = 0.06m, and the heat transfer ceases. The
force exerted by the spring on the piston as the gas expands varies linearly with x according to
Fs = kx
where k = 9000 N/m. Friction between the piston and the cylinder wall can be neglected. The acceleration
of gravity is g = 9.81 m/s2. Additional information is given on the figure.
a) What is the initial pressure of the gas, in kPa?
b) Determine the work done by the gas on the piston, in J.
c) If the specific internal energies of the gas at the initial and final states are 210 and 335 kJ/kg,
respectively, calculate the heat transfer, in J
a) P1 = Patm + mpistg/Apist
P1 = 100,000 Pa + (10 kg)(9.81 m/s2)/0.0078 m2)
P1 = 112.58 kPa
b) W = ∫ kxdx
W = kx2]00.06
2
W = 16.2 J
c) Q + U1 = W + U2 where: U1 = 210kJ/kg(mgas);
Q = 16.2 J + 167.5 J – 105 J U2 = 335kJ/kg(mgas)Q
Q = 78.7 J
 Exercises

2.10. An object whose mass is

2.2. An object of weight 40 300 lb undergoes a change in
kN is located at an kinetic energy owing to the
elevation of 30m above the action of a resultant force.
The work done by the
surface of the earth. For g resultant force is 100 Btu.
= 9.78 m/s2, determine There are no other
the gravitational potential interactions between the
object and its surroundings,
energy of the object in kJ, and there is no change in the
relative to the surface of object’s elevation. If the final
velocity of the object is 200
the earth. ft/s, what is its initial velocity,
in ft/s?
 Exercises

2.20. The drag force, Fd, imposed 2.29. A gas expands from an
by the surrounding air on a
vehicle moving with velocity V initial state where p1 = 500
is given by kPa and V1 = 0.1 m3 to a
Fd = CdA½ρV2 final state where p2 = 100
where Cd is a constant called the kPa. The relationship
drag coefficient, A is the
projected frontal area of the between apressure and
vehicle, and ρ is the air density. volume during the process
Determine the power, in kW,
required to overcome is pV = constant.
aerodynamic drag for a truck Determine the work in kJ.
moving at 110 km/h, if Cd =
0.65, A = 10 m2, and ρ = 1.1
kg/m3.
 Exercises

2.46. A 0.08-m-thick plane 2.56. A closed system of mass 3

wall is constructed of kg undergoes a process in
common brick. At steady which there is a heat transfer
of 150 kJ from the system to
state, the energy transfer the surroundings. The work
rate by conduction through done on the system is 75 kJ.
a 1m2 area of the wall is If the initial specific internal
0.2 kW. If the temperature energy of the system is 450
distribution is linear kJ/kg, what is the final
through the wall, what is specific internal energy in
the temperature difference kJ/kg? Neglect changes in
across the wall, in K? kinetic and potential energy.
 Exercises
2.68. A gas is contained in a vertical 2.63. A gas expands in a piston-
piston-cylinder assembly by a
piston weighing 675 lbf and having
a face area of 8 in2. The
atmosphere exerts a pressure of
14.7 lbf/in2 on the top of the
piston. An electrical resistor
transfers energy to the gas in the
amount of 3 Btu. The internal
energy of the gas increases by 1
Btu, which is the only significant
internal energy change of any
component present. The piston
and cylinder are poor thermal
conductors and friction can be
neglected. Determine the change
in elevation of the piston, in ft.
cylinder assembly from p1 =
8.2 bar, V1 = 0.0136 m3 to p2
= 3.4 bar in a process during
which the relation between
pressure and volume is pV1.2
= constant. The mass of the
gas is 0.183 kg. If the specific
internal energy of the gas
decreases by 29.8 kJ/kg
during the process,
determine the heat transfer,
in kJ. Kinetic and potential
energy effects are negligible.