Pearson eText for College Physics: Explore and Apply -- Instant Access (Pearson+)
Pearson eText for College Physics: Explore and Apply -- Instant Access (Pearson+)
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9780137443000
Author: Eugenia Etkina, Gorazd Planinsic
Publisher: PEARSON+
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Chapter 16, Problem 1RQ
To determine

Whether the gain in organized kinetic energy, as a car burns more gasoline, contradicts second law of thermodynamics.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Answer to Problem 1RQ

Solution:

No.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Energy of an isolated system, such as the universe always remains constant, as stated by the law of conservation of energy. Energy is transformed into various forms such as disordered form of energy (thermal energy) or ordered form of energy (kinetic and potential energy).

Energy available in the universe is in ordered and disordered form. Although the energy is conserved at all times, only the energy thatcan be used to provide a useful work is of factual importance.

Second law of thermodynamics states that a system's ability to perform work depends upon the amount of organized form of energy present. Also, it is impossible to develop an engine thatcan convert all the disorganized form of energy (thermal energy) to useful work.

Explanation:

Gasoline is used to run the engine of the car. The engine of the car uses the chemical energy of the fuel and converts it into useful work to power the car. At first, this might seem to contradict the second law of thermodynamics, but it actually does not. This is because along with the useful work, a large amount of thermal energy is exhausted and energy in the form of sound is also lost (both being less organized form of energy), when gasoline is burnt.

So, as the car moves faster and faster, it does gain organized energy but for that more and more amount of fuel is burnt, which in turn increases the energy thatis lost to the environment. Hence, the organized form of energy (kinetic energy) gained by the car will never be more than that present in the gasoline (chemical energy).

The second law states that the ability to perform work depends upon the amount of organized form of energy present, so more the speed, more will be the amount of fuel burnt and more amount of energy will be lost.

Conclusion:

Therefore, burning of gasoline to gain organized kinetic energy does not contradict second law of thermodynamics.

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Chapter 16 Solutions

Pearson eText for College Physics: Explore and Apply -- Instant Access (Pearson+)

Ch. 16 - Entropy can be calculated using which of the...Ch. 16 - Prob. 8MCQCh. 16 - 9. When a drop of ink enters a glass of water and...Ch. 16 - 10. Choose the best reason why the following...Ch. 16 - Prob. 11MCQCh. 16 - Which of the following changes will always...Ch. 16 - Entropy change is easier to determine for...Ch. 16 - 14. Describe five everyday examples of processes...Ch. 16 - Prob. 15CQCh. 16 - 16. In terms of the statistical definition of...Ch. 16 - 17. The entropy of the molecules that form leaves...Ch. 16 - Prob. 18CQCh. 16 - Below, BIO indicates a problem with a biological...Ch. 16 - Below, BIO indicates a problem with a biological...Ch. 16 - Prob. 3PCh. 16 - Below, BIO indicates a problem with a biological...Ch. 16 - Prob. 5PCh. 16 - 6. (a) Identify all of the macrostate...Ch. 16 - 7. * Repeat the previous problem for a system with...Ch. 16 - * Determine the ratio of the number of microstates...Ch. 16 - Prob. 9PCh. 16 - 10. * Parachutists landing on island Parachutists...Ch. 16 - Prob. 11PCh. 16 - * Nine numbered balls are dropped randomly into...Ch. 16 - * Rolling dice Two dice are rolled Macrostates of...Ch. 16 - 14.* (a) Apply your knowledge of probability to...Ch. 16 - Explain using your knowledge of probability why a...Ch. 16 - * EST Estimate the total change in entropy of two...Ch. 16 - 17. * EST (a) You add 0.1 kg of water at of iced...Ch. 16 - * Entropy change of a house A house at 20C...Ch. 16 - 19. ** Barrel of water in cellar in winter A...Ch. 16 - 20. * EST (a) Determine the final temperature when...Ch. 16 - * A 5.0-kg block slides on a level surface and...Ch. 16 - with the horizontal. Determine the entropy change...Ch. 16 - Prob. 23PCh. 16 - * BIO Efficiency of woman walking A 60-kg woman...Ch. 16 - Prob. 25PCh. 16 - 26. ** A cyclic process involving 1 mole of ideal...Ch. 16 - 27. ** A cyclic process involving 1 mole of ideal...Ch. 16 - Prob. 28PCh. 16 - Prob. 29PCh. 16 - Prob. 30PCh. 16 - Prob. 31PCh. 16 - 32. Rank the engines that operate with the...Ch. 16 - 33. Nuclear power plant A nuclear power plant...Ch. 16 - Prob. 34PCh. 16 - Prob. 35GPCh. 16 - W=AUint. W=(3.0)105N/m2 )(0.020m30.010m3)+0...Ch. 16 - * A thermodynamic engine operates between two...Ch. 16 - 38. * A refrigerator transfers 700 J of thermal...Ch. 16 - Prob. 39RPPCh. 16 - Prob. 40RPPCh. 16 - Fuel used to counter air resistance The resistive...Ch. 16 - Prob. 42RPPCh. 16 - Prob. 43RPPCh. 16 - The value of CA for a Ford Escape Hybrid is...
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