Callen H.B - Thermodynamics And An Introduction To Thermostatistics · Problem 7.4-15

STABILITY OF THERMODYNAMIC SYSTEMS

Physics — Statistical Mechanics · van-der-waals-free-expansion-temperature

Problem

One mole of an ideal van der Waals fluid is contained in a vessel of volume

V_i

at temperature

T_i

. A valve is opened, permitting the fluid to expand into an initially evacuated vessel, so that the final volume is

V_f

. The walls of the vessels are adiabatic. Find the final temperature

T_f

. Evaluate your result for

V_i = 2 \times 10^{-3}

^3

V_f = 5 \times 10^{-3}

^3

N = 1

T_i = 300

K, and the van der Waals constants are those of argon (Table 3.1). What was the initial pressure of the gas?