Module No.

IDEAL GASES
THERMODYNAMICS 1

ENGR. RAMON CHRISTOPHER C. LUCAS

Department of Engineering and Architecture
 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE

THE IDEAL GAS

An ideal gas is ideal only in the sense that it confirms to the simple perfect gas laws.

Example:
1. Argon 4. Carbon Dioxide
2. Air 5. Oxygen
3. Methane 6. Nitrogen

Gas Laws
A. Boyle’s law (T = C)

If the temperature of the given quantity of gas is held constant, the volume of gas
varies inversely with the absolute pressure during a change of state.

1 𝐶
Vꝏ or V=
𝑃 𝑃

pV = C or p₁V₁ = p₂V₂

𝑉₂ 𝑃₁
=
𝑉₁ 𝑃₂

B. Charle’s Law

(1) (p = c) If the pressure on a particular quantity of gas is held constant, then

with any change of state, the volume will vary directly as the absolute
temperature.

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VꝏT or V = CT

𝑉 𝑉₁ 𝑣₂
= 𝑐 𝑜𝑟 =
𝑇 𝑇₂ 𝑇₁

𝑉₂ 𝑇₂
⸫ 𝑉₁ = 𝑇₁

(2) (V = c) If the volume of a particular quantity of gas is held constant, then with
any change of state the pressure will vary directly as the absolute temperature.

PꝏT or p = CT

𝑃 𝑃₁ 𝑃₂
= 𝐶 𝑜𝑟 =
𝑇 𝑇₁ 𝑇₁

𝑃₂ 𝑇₂
⸫𝑃₁ = 𝑇₁

Equation of State or Characteristic Equation of a Perfect Gas

Combining Boyle’s and Charle’s Laws

𝑝1 𝑉 1 𝑝2 𝑉 2
= = 𝑐, 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝑇1 𝑇2

𝑃𝑉
If: c = mR, then = 𝑐, a constant
𝑇

𝑝𝑉
= 𝑚𝑅
𝑇

pV = mRT

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pv = RT (unit mass)

where; p = absolute pressure

V = volume
v = specific volume
m = mass
T = absolute temperature
R = specific gas constant or simply gas constant

p V m T R

𝑙𝑏𝟋 𝑓𝑡 .𝑙𝑏𝟋
English units ft³ lbm ͦR
𝑓𝑡2 𝑙𝑏ₘ ͦ𝑅

𝑁 𝐽
SI units m³ kgₘ K
𝑚² 𝑘𝑔ₘ−𝐾

Problems
1. A drum 6 in. in diameter and 40 in. long contained acetylene at 250 psia and ͦ F. After
some of the acetylene was used, the pressure was 200 psia and the temperature was
85 ͦ F, (a) What the proportion of the acetylene was used? (b) What volume would be
used acetylene occupy at 14.7 psia and 80 ͦ F? R for acetylene is 59.35 [Link]𝟋. ͦ R.

Solution

(a) Let m₁ = mass of acetylene initially in the drum

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m₂ = mass of acetylene left in the drum

m₃ = mass of acetylene used
p₁ = 250 psia
T₁ = 90 ͦ F + 450 = 550 ͦ R
p₂ = 200 psia
T₂ = 85 ͦ F + 450 = 545 ͦ R

𝜋 (6)2 (40)
Volume of drum = (4)(1728)
= 0.6545 𝑐𝑢. 𝑓𝑡

𝑝₁𝑉₁ (250)(144)(0.6545)
m₁ = = = 0.7218 𝑙𝑏ₘ
𝑅𝑇₁ (59.35)(550)

𝑝₂𝑉₂ (220)(144)(0.6545)
m₂ = = = 0.5828 𝑙𝑏ₘ
𝑅𝑇₂ (59.35)(545)

m₃ = m₁ - m₂ = 0.7218 – 0.5828 = 0.1390 lbₘ

𝑚₃ 0.1390
Acetylene used = 𝑚₁ = 0.7218 = 0.1926 or 19.26%

2. The volume of a 6 x 12-ft tank is 339.3 cu ft. It contains air at 200 psig and 85 ͦ F.
How many 1-cu ft drums can be filled to 50 psig and 80 ͦ F? the drums have been
sitting around in the atmosphere which is at 14.7 psia and 80 ͦ F.

Solution

Let m₁ = mass of air initially in the tank

m₂ = mass of air left in the tank
m₃ = mass of air initially in the drum
m₄ = mass of air in the drum after filling

P₁ = 200 + 14.7 = 214.7 psia P₃ = 14.7 psia

T₁ = 85 + 460 = 545 ͦ R T₃ = 80 + 460 =540 ͦ R
P₂ = 50 + 14.7 = 64.7 psia P₄ = 50 + 14.7 = 64.7 psia

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T₂ = 85 + 460 = 545 ͦR T₄ = 80 + 460 = 540 ͦR

For the tank

𝑃₁𝑉₁ (214.7)(144)(339.3)
𝑚₁= = (53.34)(545)
= 360.9 𝑙𝑏ₘ
𝑅𝑇₁

𝑃₂𝑉₂ (64.7)(144)(339.3)
𝑚₂ = = (53.34)(545)
= 108.7 𝑙𝑏ₘ
𝑅𝑇₂

Mass of air that can used = 360.9 – 108.7 = 252.2 lbₘ

For the drums

𝑃₃𝑉₃ (14.7)(144)(1)
𝑚₃ = = (53.34)(540)
= 0.0735 𝑙𝑏ₘ
𝑅𝑇₃

𝑃₄𝑉₄ (64.7)(144)(1)
𝑚₄ = = = 0.3235 𝑙𝑏ₘ
𝑅𝑇 4 (53.34)(540)

Mass of air put in each drum = 0.3235 – 0.0735 = 0.25 lbₘ/drum

252.2 𝑙𝑏ₘ
Number of drums filled up = 0.25 𝑙𝑏ₘ/𝑑𝑟𝑢𝑚 = 1009 𝑑𝑟𝑢𝑚𝑠

3. It is planned to lift and move logs from almost inaccessible forest areas by means of
balloons. Helium at atmospheric pressure (101.325 kPa) and temperature 21.1 ͦ𝐶 is to
be used in the balloons. What minimum balloon diameter (assume spherical shape)
will be required for gross lifting force of 20 metric tons?

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Solution

20,000 kgₘ

Let: mₐ = mass of air displaced by

the balloon
m = mass of helium

He
m V = volume of the balloon

He

mₐ

For the air

𝐽
Rₐ = 287.08 𝑘𝑔ₘ . 𝐾

Pₐ = 101,325 Pa
Tₐ = 21.1 + 273 = 294.1 K

𝑝ₐ𝑉ₐ 101,325 𝑉
mₐ = 𝑅ₐ𝑇ₐ = = 1.2001 𝑉 𝑘𝑔ₘ
(287.08)(294.1)

For the helium

𝐽
Rʜₑ = 2,077.67 𝑘𝑔ₘ . 𝐾

Pʜₑ = 101,325 Pa

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Tʜₑ = 21.1 + 273 = 294.1 K

𝑃ʜₑ ⱽ 101,325𝑉
𝑚ʜₑ = = = 0.1658 𝑉 𝑘𝑔ₘ
𝑅ʜₑ𝑇ʜₑ (2077.67)(294.1)

mₐ = mʜₑ + 20,000
1.2001 V = 0.1658 V + 20,000
V = 19,337 m³

4
𝜋𝑟 3 = 19,337
3

r = 16.65 m
d = 2(16.65) = 33.3 m

4. Two vessels A and B of different sizes are connected by a pipe with a valve. Vessel a
contains 142 L of air 2,767.92 kPa, 93.33 ℃. Vessel B, of unknown volume, contains
air at 68.95 kPa, 4.44℃. The valve is opened and when the properties have been
determined, it is found that Pₘ = 1378.96 kPa, tₘ = 43.33℃. what is gthe volume of
the vessel B?

Solution

For vessel A

Pᴀ = 2,767.92 kPa
Vᴀ = 142 liters
Tᴀ = 93.33 + 273 = 366.3 K

For vessel B

Pв = 68.95 kPa
Tв = 4.44 + 273 = 277.44 K

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ENGR. RAMON CHRISTOPHER C. LUCAS
 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE

For the mixture

Pₘ = 1378.96 kPa
Tв = 43.33 + 273 =316.33 K
mₘ = mᴀ + mв

𝑃ₘ𝑉ₘ 𝑃ᴀ𝑉ᴀ 𝑃в𝑉в

= +
𝑅𝑇ₘ 𝑅𝑇ᴀ 𝑅𝑇в

(1378.96)𝑉ₘ (2767.92)(142) 68.95 𝑉в

= +
316.33 366.33 277.44

4.36 Vₘ = 1072.9 + 0.25 Vв (1)

Vₘ = 142 + Vв (2)

Solving equations 1 and 2 simultaneously

Vв = 110.4 liters

Specific Heat (C)

The specific heat of a substance is defined as the quantity of heat required to change the
temperature of unit mass through one degree.

ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 (𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠)

𝐶
(𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠)(𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒)

In differential quantities,
𝑑𝑄
𝑐= 𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑄 = 𝑚𝑐𝑑𝑇
𝑚𝑑𝑇

And for a particular mass m,

2
𝑄 = ∫1 𝑐𝑑𝑇
(The specific heat equation)
If the mean or instantaneous value of specific heat is used,

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2
𝑄 = 𝑚𝑐 ∫1 𝑑𝑇 = 𝑚𝑐(𝑇₂ − 𝑇₁) = 𝑚𝑐𝛥𝑇
(constant specific heat)
Constant Volume Specific Heat (𝑪𝒗)

ΔU Qυ = ΔU

Volume Qυ = mcυ(T₂ - T₁) = mcυ ΔT

Constant

Qυ

Constant Pressure Specific Heat (Cp)

Qp = mcp(T₂ - T₁)
2
Qp = ΔU + WNF = ΔU + ∫1 𝑝𝑑𝑉

Qp = ΔU + p(V₂ - V₁)
= (U₂ - U₁) + (p₂V₂ - p₁V₁)
= (U₂ + p₂V₂) – (U₁ + p₁V₁)
= H₂ - H₁
Qp = ΔH
Ratio of Specific Heat (k)
𝐶𝑝
k = 𝐶𝑣 > 1

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Internal Energy of an Ideal Gas (U, u)

Joule’s law states that “the change of an internal energy of an ideal gas is a
function of only the temperature change.” Therefore, ΔU is given by the formula,
ΔU = mcv (T₂ - T₁)
Whether the volume remains constant of not.

Enthalpy of an Ideal Gas (H, h)

The change of enthalpy of an ideal gas is given by the formula,
ΔH = Cp (T₂ - T₁)
Whether the pressure remains constant or not.

Relation Between Cp and Cv

From h = u + pv and pv = RT
dh = du + Rdt
cpdT = Cvdt + Rdt
Cp = Cv + R
𝑅
Cv = 𝑘 − 1

Problems

1. For a certain ideal gas R = 25.8 [Link] /lbm. °𝑅 and k = 1.09 (a) What are the values
of cp and cv? (b) What mass of this would occupy a volume of 15 cu ft at 75 psia
and 80℉? (c) If 30 Btu are transferred to this gas at constant volume in (b), what
are result temperature and pressure?

Solution
𝑘𝑅 (1.09)(25.8) 𝑓𝑡.𝑙𝑏𝑓 𝐵𝑡𝑢
(a) cp = 𝑘 − 1 = = 312.47 𝑙𝑏ₘ°𝑅 𝑜𝑟 0.4016 𝑙𝑏ₘ°𝑅
1.09 − 1
𝐶𝑝 0.4016 𝐵𝑡𝑢
cv = 𝑘
= 1.09
= 0.3685 𝑙𝑏ₘ°𝑅

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(b) V = 15 cu ft p = 75 psia T = 80 + 460 = 540 °𝑅

𝑝𝑉 (75)(144)(15)
m = 𝑅𝑇 = = 11.63 𝑙𝑏ₘ
(25.8)(540)

(c) Qv = mcv (T₂ - T₁)

30 = 11.36(0.3685)(T₂ - 540)
T₂ = 547°𝑅
P₂ = P₁(T₂ / T₁) = 75(547 / 540) = 75 psia
2. For a certain gas R = 320 J/kgₘ K and Cv = 0.84 KJ/kgₘ K (a) Find Cp and k. (b)
If 5 kgₘ of this gas undergo a reversible non flow constant pressure process from
V₁ = 1.133 m³ and P₁ = 690 kPa to a state where t₂ = 555°𝐶, find ΔU and ΔH.

Solution

𝐾𝐽
(a) CpCv + R = 0.84 + 0.32 = 1.16 𝑘𝑔ₘ °𝑅
𝑅 0.32
k = 𝐶𝑣 + 1 = + 1 = 1.381
0.84

𝑃₁𝑣₁ (690000)(1.133)
(b) T₁ = = = 488.6 𝐾
𝑚𝑅 (5)(320)

ΔU = mcv (T₂ - T₁) = 5(0.84)(828 – 488.6)

= 1425.5 kJ

ΔH = mcp (T₂ - T₁) = 5(1.16)(828 – 488.6) = 1968.5 kJ

Entropy (S, s)

Entropy is that property of a substance which remains constant if no heat enters or

leaves the substance, while it does work or alters its volume, but which increases or
diminishes should a small amount of heat enter or leave.

The change of entropy of substance receiving (or delivering) heat is defined by

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𝑑𝑄 2 𝑑𝑄
dS = 𝑜𝑟 𝛥𝑆 = ∫1
𝑇 𝑇

where dQ = heat transferred at the temperature T

ΔS = total change of entropy

2 𝑚𝑐𝑑𝑇
ΔS = ∫1 𝑇

2 𝑑𝑇 𝑇₂
ΔS = 𝑚𝑐 ∫1 = 𝑚𝑐 𝑙𝑛
𝑇 𝑇₁

(constant specific heat)

Temperature-Entropy Coordinates (T-s Diagram)

dQ = Tds

2
𝑄 = ∫1 𝑇𝑑𝑆

“The area under the curve of the process on

the TS plane represents the quantity of heat
transferred during the process.”

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Other Energy Relations

2
-∫1 𝑉𝑑𝑝 = WSF + ΔK

(Reversible steady flow, ΔPE

= 0)

“The area behind the curve of the

process on the pV plane represents
the work of a steady flow process
when ΔKE = 0, or it represents ΔKE
when WSF= 0.”

Any process that can be made to go in the reverse direction by an infinitesimal change in
the conditions is called reversible process.

Any process that is not reversible is irrersible.

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Review Problems
1. An automobile tire is inflated to 32 psig pressure at 50°𝐹. After being driven the
temperature rise to 75°𝐹. Determine the final gage pressure assuming the volume remains
constant.
Ans. 43.29 psig (EE Board Problem)

2. If 100ft³ of atmospheric air at zero Fahrenheit temperature are compressed to a volume of

1ft³ at temperature of 200°𝐹, What will be the pressure of the air in psi?
Ans. 21.09psia (EE Board Problem)

3. A 10 ft³ tank contains gas at a pressure of 500 psia, temperature of 85°𝐹 and a weight of
25 pounds. A part of the gas was discharged and the temperature and the pressure
changed to 70°𝐹 and 300 psia, respectively. Heat was applied and the temperature was
back to 85°𝐹. Find the final weight, volume, and pressure of the gas.
Ans. 15.43 lbf; 10 ft³; 308.5 (EE Board Problem)

4. Four hundred cubic centimeters of a gas at 740 mm Hg absolute and 18℃ undergoes
process until the pressure becomes 760 mm Hg absolute and the temperature 0℃. What is
the final volume of the gas?
Ans. 365 cc (EE Board Problem)

5. A motorist equips his automobile tires with a relief-type valve so that the pressure inside
the tire never will exceed 240 kPa (gage). He starts a trip with a pressure of 200 kPa
(gage) and a temperature of 23℃ in the tires. During the long drive, the temperature of
the air in the tires reaches 83℃. Each tire contains 0.11 kgₘ of air,
Determine (a) the mass of air escaping each tire, (b) the pressure of the tire when the
temperature returns to 23℃.
Ans. (a) 0.0064 kgₘ; (b) 182.48 kPa (gage)

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6. A 6 m³ tank contains helium a 400 K and is evacuated from atmospheric pressure to a

pressure of 470 mm Hg vacuum. Determine (a) mass of helium remaining in the tank, (b)
mass of helium pumped out, (c) the temperature of the remaining helium falls to 10℃.
What is the pressure in kPa?
Ans. (a) 0.01925 kgₘ; (b) 0.7123 kgₘ; (c) 1.886 kPa

7. An automobile tire contains 3730 cu in. of air at 32 psig and 80℉. (a) What mass of air is
in the tire? (b) in operation the air temperature increases to 145℃. If the is inflexible,
what is the resulting percentage increase in gage pressure? (c) What mass of the 145℃ air
must be held off to reduce the pressure bask to its original value?
Ans. (a) 0.5041 lbₘ; (b) 17.35%; (c) 0.0542 lbₘ

8. A spherical balloon is 40 ft in diameter and surrounded by air at 60℉ and 29.92 in Hg

abs. (a) If the balloon is filled with hydrogen at a temperature of 70℉ and atmospheric
pressure, what total load can it lift? (b) if it contains helium instead of hydrogen, other
conditions remaining the same, what load can it lift? (c) Helium is nearly twice as heavy
as hydrogen. Does it have half the lifting force? R for hydrogen is 766.54 and for helium
is 386.04 [Link]/lbₘ°𝑅.
Ans. (a) 2381 lbf; (b) 2209 lbf
9. A reservoir contains 2.83 cu m of carbon monoxide at 6895 kPa and 23.6℃. An
evacuated tank is filled from the reservoir to a pressure of 3497 kPa and a temperature of
12.4℃, while the pressure in the reservoir decreases to 6205 kPa and the temperature to
18.3℃. What is the volume of the tank? R for CO is 296.92 J/kgₘ.K
Ans. 0.451 m³

10. A gas initially at 15 psia and 2 cu ft undergoes a process to 90 psia and 0.60 cu ft, during
which the enthalpy increases by 15.5 Btu; cv = 2.44 Btu/lbₘ °𝑅. Determine (a) ΔU, (b)
Cv, and (c) R.
Ans. (a) 11.06 Btu; (b) 3.42 Btu/lbₘ°𝑅; (c) 762.4 [Link]/lbₘ°𝑅

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References

H. B. Sta Maria & D. V. Gedaria (2015). Thermodynamics 1 (2nd ed.). MG Reprographics

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ENGR. RAMON CHRISTOPHER C. LUCAS