1st and 2nd Law of thermodynamics

Problem Set 3: Entropy

1. Entropy Change

a One kilogram of water at 273K is brought into contact with a heat reservoir at 373K.
When the water has reached 373K, what is the entropy change of the water, of the heat
reservoir, and of the universe? Assume that the heat capacity of 1 kilogram of water is
J
4187 K

b If the water had been heated from 273K to 373K by first bringing it into contact with
a reservoir at 323K and then with a reservoir at 373K, what would have been the entropy
change of the universe?

c Explain how the water might be heated from 273K to 373K with almost no change of
entropy of the universe.

2. Some More Entropy Change

Calculate the entropy change of the universe as a result of the following processes:
J
(a) A copper block of 0.4 kg mass and with heat capacity at constant pressure of 150 K at
100 C is placed in a lake at 10 C.
(b) The same block at 10C is dropped from a height of 100m into the lake.
( c) Two such blocks at 100C and OC are joined together.

3. Heat dissipation in current flow

A current of 10 A is maintained for 1 s in a resistor of 25Ω while the temperature of the

resistor is kept constant at 27C. (a) What is the entropy change of the resistor? (b) What
is the entropy change of the universe? The same current is maintained for the same time
in the same resistor, but now thermally insulated, with the same initial temperature. If the
resistor has a mass of 10 g and a specific heat of 836J/KgK (c) What is the entropy change
of the resistor? (d) What is the entropy change of the universe?

4. Heat exchange between reservoirs

A rod is conducting heat between two reservoirs at temperatures T1 and T2 respectively.

There is no change in the state of the rod between some initial and final time as it has

Due date: March 16, 2010, 5 pm 1

1st and 2nd Law of thermodynamics

reached a steady state. What is the change in entropy of the universe when total heat Q is
transferred.

5. Kelvin from Entropy

Starting from the entropy statement of second law, prove that heat can not move sponta-
neously from cold to hot body.

Due date: March 16, 2010, 5 pm 2