1.

As shown in figure (below), a hot thermal reservoir is separated from a cold thermal reservoir
by a cylindrical rod insulated on its lateral surface. Energy transfer by conduction between the
two reservoirs takes place through the rod, which remains at steady state. Using the Kelvin-
Planck statement of the second law, demonstrate that such a process is irreversible.

2. A power cycle receives energy QH by heat transfer from a hot reservoir at TH = 1500oR and
rejects energy QC by heat transfer to a cold reservoir at TC = 500oR. For each of the following
cases, determine whether the cycle operates reversibly, operates irreversibly, or is impossible.
a) QH = 900 Btu, Wcycle = 450 Btu
b) QH = 900 Btu, QC = 300 Btu
c) Wcycle = 600 Btu, QC = 400 Btu
d)

3. a) One kilogram of water at 273 K is brought into contact with a heat reservoir at 373 K.
When the water has reached 373 K, what is the entropy change of the water, of the heat
reservoir, and of the universe (remember from class, what ‘universe’ means; it is not the usual
meaning).
b) If the water had been heated from 273 to 373 K by first bringing it into contact with a
reservoir at 323 K and then with a reservoir at 373 K, what would have been the entropy change
of the universe?
c) Explain how the water might be heated from 273 to 373 K with almost no change of entropy
of the universe.

4. A thermally insulated cylinder, closed at both ends, is fitted with a frictionless heat conducting
piston that divides the cylinder into two parts. Initially, the piston is clamped in the center with 1
liter of air at 300 K and 2 atm pressure on one side and 1 liter of air at 300 K at 1 atm pressure
on the other side. The piston is released and reaches equilibrium in pressure and temperature
at a new position.
a) Compute the final pressure and temperature and increase of entropy if air is assumed to be
an ideal gas.
b) What irreversible process has taken place?

5. Calculate the entropy change of the universe as a result of the following processes:
a) A copper block of 0.4 kg mass and with heat capacity at constant pressure of 150 J/k at
100oC is placed in a lake at 10oC.
b) The same block at 10oC is dropped from a height of 100 m into the lake.
c) Two such blocks at 100oC and 0oC are joined together.

6. A system executes a power cycle while receiving 1050 KJ by heat transfer at a temperature
of 525 K and discharging 700 KJ by heat transfer at 350 KJ. There are no other heat transfers.
a) Using the Clausius inequality, determine whether the cycle is internally reversible,
irreversible, or impossible.
b) Determine the thermal efficiency of this cycle and compare it with the Carnot efficiency