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Ch 19: Work, Heat, and the First Law of Thermodynamics
Chapter 19, Problem 19

5.0 g of nitrogen gas at 20°C and an initial pressure of 3.0 atm undergo an isobaric expansion until the volume has tripled. d. What amount of heat energy is transferred from the gas as its pressure decreases?

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Identify the initial conditions and the type of process. Here, the process is isobaric (constant pressure), with initial conditions of 5.0 g of nitrogen gas, initial temperature of 20°C, and initial pressure of 3.0 atm.
Convert the initial temperature from Celsius to Kelvin. Use the formula T(K) = T(°C) + 273.15.
Calculate the initial number of moles of nitrogen using its molar mass. The molar mass of nitrogen (N2) is approximately 28 g/mol. Use the formula n = mass / molar mass.
Use the ideal gas law to find the initial volume. The ideal gas law is PV = nRT, where R is the ideal gas constant (approximately 0.0821 L·atm/mol·K).
Apply the first law of thermodynamics for an isobaric process, which states that the change in internal energy (ΔU) plus the work done by the system (W) equals the heat added to the system (Q). For an isobaric process, W can be calculated as PΔV, where ΔV is the change in volume. Since the volume triples, ΔV = 2V_initial. Use the formula Q = ΔU + PΔV, and remember that for an ideal gas, ΔU can be calculated using ΔU = nCvΔT, where Cv is the molar heat capacity at constant volume for nitrogen.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Isobaric Process

An isobaric process is a thermodynamic process in which the pressure remains constant while the volume and temperature of the gas change. During this type of expansion, the gas does work on its surroundings, and heat must be added or removed to maintain the constant pressure. Understanding this concept is crucial for analyzing how heat energy is transferred during the expansion of the gas.
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First Law of Thermodynamics

The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. In the context of an isobaric process, the change in internal energy of the gas is equal to the heat added to the system minus the work done by the system. This principle helps in calculating the heat energy transferred during the expansion of the gas.
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Heat Transfer

Heat transfer refers to the movement of thermal energy from one object or system to another due to a temperature difference. In the case of the nitrogen gas undergoing isobaric expansion, heat is transferred from the gas to its surroundings as the gas expands and its pressure decreases. Understanding the mechanisms of heat transfer is essential for determining the amount of energy lost by the gas during this process.
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