Question

What is the change in internal energy for each of the following situations? 1. q-7.9 J out of the system and w 3.6 J done on the system ll. q 1.5 J into the system and w-7.5 J done on the system B. Assuming both of these systems had the same internal energy initially, which of the two is lower in energy (more stable) after these changes?

Answer 1

Answer:

A i. Internal energy ΔU = -4.3 J ii. Internal energy ΔU = -6.0 J B. The second system is lower in energy.

Explanation:

A. We know that the internal energy,ΔU = q + w where q = quantity of heat and w = work done on system.

1. In the above q = -7.9 J (the negative indicating heat loss by the system). w = 3.6 J (It is positive because work is done on the system). So, the internal energy for this system is ΔU₁ = q + w = -7.9J + 3.6J = -4.3 J

ii. From the question q = +1.5 J (the positive indicating heat into the system). w = -7.5 J (It is negative because work is done by the system). So, the internal energy for this system is ΔU₂ = q + w = +1.5J + (-7.5J) = +1.5J - 7.5J = - 6.0J

B. We know that ΔU = U₂ - U₁ where U₁ and U₂ are the initial and final internal energies of the system. Since for the systems above, the initial internal energies U₁ are the same, then we say U₁ = U. Let U₁ and U₂ now represent the final energies of both systems in A i and A ii above. So, we write ΔU₁ = U₁ - U and ΔU₂ = U₂ - U where ΔU₁ and ΔU₂ are the internal energy changes in A i and A ii respectively. Now from ΔU₁ = U₁ - U, U₁ = ΔU₁ + U and U₂ = ΔU₂ + U. Subtracting both equations U₁ - U₂ = ΔU₁ - ΔU₂

= -4.3J -(-6.0 J)= 1.7 J. Since U₁ - U₂ > 0 , U₂ < U₁ , so the second system's internal energy increase less and is lower in energy and is more stable.