Problem 1
State 1 (initial) and 2 (final) are shown on a P-V diagram, with State 3 as an intermediate
state, and A, B, & C as different processes.
u1 200 kJ/kg w12,A 400 kJ/kg
u2 500 kJ/kg w12,B 300 kJ/kg
u3 350 kJ/kg w21,C − 450 kJ/kg
a) Find u12,A and u21,[Link] is the net change in u in the above
cycle? What kind of a function is u?
b) Find u12,B and u21,C. What is the net change in d) Find the net work done in the cycle �� − ��.
u in the above cycle? What kind of a function is ��?
c) What does the signs, on the work done e) Find the net work done in the cycle �� − ��.
through different processes, represent? f) Which cycle has larger net external work done?
�� − �� or �� − ��? (c) +ve means Work done BY the System, −ve sign means Work
done ON the System
Answer→ (d) −50 kJ/kg
(a) 300 kJ/kg, − 300kJ/kg, Zero, Point/State function (e) −150 kJ/kg, Path function (f) A-C
(b) 300 kJ/kg, − 300kJ/kg, Zero, Point function
Problem 2
A gas is compressed from an initial volume of ��. ����
����to a final volume of ��. ���� ����. During the
quasi-equilibrium process, the pressure changes with volume
according to the relation �� =
���� + �� , where �� = −��������
������/���� and �� = ������ ������ . Calculate
the work done during this process:
a) By plotting the process on a �� − �� diagram and finding the
area under the process curve
b) By performing the necessary integrations.
Problem 3
A piston–cylinder device contains ��. ���� ���� of air
initially at �� ������ and ������°��. The air is first
expanded isothermally to ������ ������, then
compressed polytropically with a polytropic exponent of ��. ��
to the initial pressure, and finally compressed at the constant
pressure to the initial state. Take �� for air as ��. ������
����
����−��.
a) Draw the cycle in the �� − �� diagram
b) Determine boundary work for each process
c) Determine net work for the cycle.
Ans: (b) 37.18 kJ, -34.9 kJ, -6.98 kJ
(c) -4.7 kJ
Problem 4
A piston–cylinder device contains 50 kg of water at 250 kPa and 25°C. The cross-sectional area of
the piston is 0.1 m2. Heat is now transferred to the water, causing part of it to evaporate and
expand. When the volume reaches 0.2 m3, the piston reaches a linear spring whose spring constant
is 100 kN/m. More heat is transferred to the water until the piston rises 20 cm more. Determine:
(a) Initial phase (and x, if sat. mixture)
(b) Initial volume (m3)
(c) Pressure inside cylinder after 1st expansion process
(d) Phase after 1st expansion process (and x, if sat. mixture)
(e) Final pressure inside cylinder
(f) Final volume (m3)
(g) Final phase (and x, if sat. mixture)
(h) Final temperature
(i) Show the process on a P-V diagram.
(j) Total work done
(a) Subcooled (b) 0.05015 m3(c) 250 kPa (d) Sat. liq-vap mixture, x=0.00408
(e) 450 kPa (f) 0.22 m3(g) Sat. liq-vap mixture, x=0.008 (h) 147.93 °C (j) 44.463 kJ
Problem 5
Assume that you have air in a piston-cylinder system at state 1. The system is subjected through a
sequence of processes as mentioned below. Initial pressure of the system is ������ ���� ,
the initial volume ���� = �� ����, and initial temperature is ���� = ������ ��. All
processes are executed in a quasi-static manner. Air behaves as an ideal gas.
• Process 1-2: Polytropic compression from ���� to one-fifth of its volume, n=1.2 • Process 2-3:
Constant pressure process to double the volume
• Process 3-4: Polytropic expansion process to initial pressure ���� with n=1.3 • Process 4-1:
Constant pressure process to state 1
1. Sketch the processes on a �� − �� diagram
2. Find ����, ����, ����, ���� & ����?
3. What is the work done ������ ,������,������ ������ ������?
4. Find the total work done during the entire cycle, ��������?
5. What is the work done per unit mass of air, ��������?
Problem 6
A mass of 3 kg of saturated liquid–vapor mixture of water is contained in a piston–cylinder device at
150 kPa. Initially, 1 kg of the water is in the liquid phase and the rest is in the vapor phase. The piston is
resting on a set of stops. Heat is now transferred to the water, so that pressure inside cylinder
increases. When the pressure reaches 500 kPa, the piston starts moving up (about to move up). Heat
transfer continues (and the piston moves up) until the total volume increases by 20 percent. Determine:
a) Initial temperature
b) Initial volume
c) Phase of H2O when the piston is about to move up
d) Volume at this state
e) Final volume
f) Final pressure
g) Phase at final state
h) Final temperature (use closest value)
i) Show the process on a P-v diagram with respect to saturation line
j) Work done during this process.
(a) 111.37 °C (b) 2.321 m3(c) Superheated vapor (d) 2.321 m3(e)
2.785 m3 (f) 500 kPa (g) Superheated vapor (h) 734 °C (j) 232 kJ
