Question
Question: Consider a spherical shell of radius R at temperature T. The black body radiation inside it can be c...
Consider a spherical shell of radius R at temperature T. The black body radiation inside it can be considered as an ideal gas of photons with internal energy per unit volume u=VU∝T4 and pressure P=31(VU). If the shell now undergoes an adiabatic expansion the relation between T and R is:
A.T∝e−R
B.T∝e−3R
C.T∝R1
D.T∝R31
Solution
Hint: The basic thermodynamic laws and equations are required to solve this problem. Basic differentiation and integration will be required too.
Step by step solution:
We have a spherical shell of radius R at temperature T. Internal energy per unit volume u=VU∝T4. This can be simplified to VU=CT4 where C is a constant.
Hence, U=CVT4
Next, P=31(VU).Substituting the value of U in this equation, P=31(VCVT4)
P=3CT4
Now, we will use the adiabatic expansion condition, dQ=dU+dW=0
dU=−dW
We know that, dW=PdV
Substituting the values of U and P into the above equation, we get
d(CVT4)=−(3CT4)dV
Using differentiation by parts d(uv)=vdu+udv
4CVT3dT+CT4dV=3−CT4dV
4CVT3dT=3−CT4dV−CT4dV
4VdT=−(3T+T)dV
4VdT=3−4TdV
T1dT=3V−1dV
lnT=3−1lnV+lnC
lnT+ln(V31)=lnC
ln(TV31)=lnC
TV31=C
We know that the volume of a spherical shell is, V=34πR3.
Therefore, T(34πR3)31=C
TR(34π)31=C
Hence, TR=D, where D=(34π)31C. That means D is a constant value.
Therefore, T∝R1
Note: Remembering the basic thermodynamic equations is necessary and how they change during different conditions such as Isothermal expansion, Isobaric expansion etc.
The differentiation by parts is easy only when you remember the formula well d(uv)=vdu+udv.