Calculation of First Law Quantities I

Latent heat of transition is the energy absorbed or released when a substance changes between physical states at constant temperature and pressure without chemical reaction. At constant pressure, this latent heat equals the enthalpy change. The work done during the phase change is calculated as pressure multiplied by the volume change between phases.

During constant-pressure heating without phase change, internal energy change is derived from the first law as ΔU = ΔH − pΔV, where the enthalpy change depends on heat capacity at constant pressure and temperature interval. This relationship holds for both reversible and irreversible processes when initial and final pressures are equal, since enthalpy is a state function.

In constant-volume heating, the volume remains fixed, so pressure-volume work (w = 0) cannot occur. All heat supplied directly increases internal energy, which depends on heat capacity at constant volume and temperature change. This principle applies to both reversible and irreversible processes.

At constant pressure, enthalpy change equals the heat exchanged during the process. For heating without phase change, the heat supplied is determined by integrating heat capacity at constant pressure over the temperature range. This relationship holds regardless of whether the process is reversible or irreversible.

At constant volume, all heat increases internal energy through ΔU = ∫Cv dT. The enthalpy change is then obtained from ΔH = ΔU + Δ(pV), accounting for changes in the pressure-volume term. This calculation applies to both reversible and irreversible constant-volume processes.

The first law states that internal energy change equals heat plus work: ΔU = q + w. During reversible phase transitions at constant temperature and pressure, the heat exchanged is the latent heat, and work equals pressure times volume change. This framework applies to all thermodynamic systems undergoing energy transfer.

During reversible phase changes at constant temperature and pressure, enthalpy change equals the latent heat of transition. Since enthalpy is a state function depending only on initial and final states, the enthalpy change remains constant regardless of the path taken, making it a reliable measure of energy transfer between phases.