Entropy as a State Function
Chem 153: Physical Chemistry I (Santiago)
Believe the power of statistics.
Entropy as a State Function. Entropy is a state function. For a cyclic process,
dS = ∫ dqrev/T = 0
Carnot Cycle. Carnot cycle, named after Sadi Carnot, is a reversible four stage cycle: (1)
Reversible Isothermal Expansion from A to B at T1, (2) Reversible Adiabatic Expansion
from B to C, T falls from T1 to T2, (3) Reversible Isothermal Compression from C to D at
T2, and (4) Reversible Adiabatic Compression from D to A, T rises from T2 to T1.
Reversible Isothermal Expansion from A to B at T1. The entropy is equal to q1/T1,
where q1 is the heat supplied by the reservoir. For perfect gases, q1 = -w = nRT ln V2/V1, as
shown from the previous discussions.
Reversible Adiabatic Expansion from B to C, T falls from T1 to T2. For adiabatic
processes, ∆S = 0. The temperature falls from T1 to T2.
Reversible Isothermal Compression from C to D at T2. The entropy is equal to q2/T2,
where q2 is the heat released to the sink. For perfect gases, q2 = -w = nRT ln V1/V2, as
shown from the previous discussions.
Reversible Adiabatic Expansion from B to C, T rises from T2 to T1. For adiabatic
processes, ∆S = 0. The temperature rises from T2 to T1.
Total ∆S. The total entropy change is the sum of the entropy changes of each stage. The
total entropy change is equal to
∆S = (q1/T1) + (q2/T2)
And for a perfect gas
(q1/T1) = -(q2/T2)
And ∆S can be calculated equal to 0.
Efficiency. The efficiency of a heat engine, η, is defined by Carnot using the following
similar expressions
η = |w|/|q1| = (|q1| - |q2|)/|q1| = 1 – (|q1|/|q2|) = 1 – (T1/T2)
This shows that all reversible engines have the same efficiency regardless of their
construction.
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Thermodynamic Temperature. Rearranging the equation for efficiency we can express the
temperature of the cold sink T2 as
T2 = (1 – η)T1
The temperature T2 is the basis of the construction of a thermodynamic temperature scale. With a
known temperature of the reservoir, the temperature can be obtained. Kelvin scale is a
specialized thermodynamic temperature scale where boiling water is the temperature of the
heat source.
Clausius Inequality. Clausius inequality states that
dS = dqrev/T > dq/T
This is a direct consequence of the relation that more work is done for a reversible change
than an irreversible change.
For an isolated system, dq = 0, which suggests that for a spontaneous irreversible process
dS > 0