Equations of State: Interactive Simulations
The first simulation runs in your browser. The second simulation was prepared using Mathematica. Download the free CDF player, and then download the simulation CDF file (link given below or click on figure to download). Try to predict the behavior when a parameter changes before using a slider to change that parameter. Screencasts below explain how to use these simulations.
Simulation: Phase Diagrams from van der Waals Equation of State
Try to answer these questions before determining the answer with the simulation. We suggest that you write down the reasons for your answers.
- For the critical isotherm obtained from the van der Waals equation of state, what can you say about the slope of the isotherm at the critical point?
- Do isotherms generated by a cubic equation of state have three solutions for temperatures below the critical temperature?
The compressibility factor chart plots the compressibility factor, Z, equal to PV/RT, where V is the molar volume, versus the reduced pressure Pr for several values of the reduced temperature Tr. The reduced pressure and temperature are defined by Pr = P/Pc and Tr = T/Tc, respectively, where Pc is the critical pressure and Tc is the critical temperature. Use buttons to select one of five molecules, and move the black dot to display the compressibility factor curve (blue) for any value of Tr between 1.0 and 1.8. The Z and Pr values for the location of the back dot are displayed on the chart. For an ideal gas, Z = 1 (green line).
Try to answer these questions before determining the answer with the simulation. We suggest that you write down the reasons for your answers.
- If the compressibility factor for carbon dioxide is 0.52 at a reduced pressure of 1.59 and a reduced temperature of 1.10, what reduced temperature would you expect for nitrogen to have a compressibility factor of 0.52?
- Why is the compressibility factor mostly less than one?