P-V Diagrams QP
P-V Diagrams QP
P-V Diagrams QP
(a) A fixed mass of gas undergoes a change from one of states E, F, G, H to state X as
shown on the pressure−volume (p−V) diagram in Figure 1.
Figure 1
E to X
F to X
G to X
H to X
(1)
On the outward stroke of the piston, air is drawn into the cylinder at atmospheric
pressure through the inlet valve. The outlet valve remains closed. On the inward
stroke, the inlet valve closes and the increasing pressure in the cylinder causes the
outlet valve to open, forcing air into the tank. A small clearance volume exists when
the piston is at the end of its inward stroke. The crankshaft of the pump is driven by
the lorry engine by a gear wheel which acts as a flywheel.
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Air is pumped into the air tank until the pressure reaches 8.0 × 10 5 Pa.
Figure 3 shows the idealised p−V diagram for one cycle in the initial stages of
pumping, when the pressure in the air tank has reached approximately 4.5 × 10 5 Pa.
The compressed air in the clearance volume at C must expand to point D before the
inlet valve will open.
(i) The temperature of the air in the cylinder at the start of compression (point A
on Figure 3) is 310 K.
Determine the temperature of the air at the point when the outlet valve is
about to open. This is at point B on Figure 3.
temperature .................................................. K
(2)
(ii) Determine the net work done on the air during the cycle shown in Figure 3.
Figure 2
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Figure 3
(iii) Determine the power input to the compressor when it runs at 420 revolutions
per minute.
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power ................................................. W
(1)
(iv) Explain how the performance of the air compressor changes as the pressure
in the tank increases. Calculations are not expected.
• how and why the p−V diagram will change as the pressure in the tank
increases
• how the temperature of the air in the cylinder changes
• the power input to the compressor, assuming it runs at constant speed
• the part played by the flywheel on the crankshaft.
Q2.The Carnot cycle is the most efficient theoretical cycle of changes for a fixed mass of gas in
a heat engine.
The graph below shows the pressure−volume (p−V) diagram for a gas undergoing a
Carnot cycle of changes ABCDA.
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(a) (i) Show that during the change AB the gas undergoes an isothermal change.
(3)
(ii) Explain how the first law of thermodynamics applies to the gas in the change
BC.
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(3)
ratio .....................................................
(3)
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(b) Show that the work done during the change AB is about 110 J.
(2)
(c) When running at a constant temperature, one practical engine goes through 2400
cycles every minute. In one complete cycle of this engine, 114 J of energy has to be
removed by a coolant so that the engine runs at a constant temperature. The
temperature of the coolant rises by 18 °C as it passes through the engine.
Calculate the volume of the coolant that flows through the engine in one second.
Q3.The figure below shows a theoretical engine cycle in which a fixed mass of ideal gas is
taken through the following processes in turn:
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B→
expansion at constant pressure with heat addition of 235 J.
C:
C→
adiabatic expansion to the initial pressure and volume at A.
A:
(2)
(b) Complete the table. Apply the first law of thermodynamics to determine values of Q,
W and ΔU for each process and for the whole cycle. Use a consistent sign
convention.
Q/J W/J ΔU / J
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process A → B –188
process B → C +235
process C → A +168
(3)
(d) Describe two problems that would be encountered in trying to design a real engine
based on this cycle.
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(2)
(Total 9 marks)
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