Question icon
Grade 12General Physics

what is the total energy content of 1 mole of helium,2 mole of hydrogen and 3 mole of oxygen present in a container?

Profile image of shweta  ramki
13 Years agoGrade 12
Answers icon

1 Answer

Profile image of Askiitians Tutor Team
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer1 Year ago

To determine the total energy content of the gases in your container, we need to consider the energy associated with each type of gas based on its moles. The energy content can be calculated using the concept of internal energy, which is influenced by the number of moles and the specific heat capacities of the gases involved. Let's break this down step by step.

Understanding the Gases Involved

In your scenario, we have:

  • 1 mole of Helium (He)
  • 2 moles of Hydrogen (H₂)
  • 3 moles of Oxygen (O₂)

Internal Energy of Gases

The internal energy (U) of an ideal gas can be calculated using the formula:

U = n * C_v * T

Where:

  • n = number of moles
  • C_v = molar heat capacity at constant volume
  • T = absolute temperature in Kelvin

Heat Capacities of the Gases

For our calculations, we will use the following molar heat capacities at constant volume:

  • Helium (He): C_v = 3/2 R (where R = 8.314 J/(mol·K))
  • Hydrogen (H₂): C_v = 5/2 R
  • Oxygen (O₂): C_v = 5/2 R

Calculating Internal Energy for Each Gas

Assuming the temperature (T) is constant and known, we can calculate the internal energy for each gas:

1. Helium

For 1 mole of helium:

U_He = 1 * (3/2 R) * T = (3/2) * 8.314 * T = 12.471 * T J

2. Hydrogen

For 2 moles of hydrogen:

U_H2 = 2 * (5/2 R) * T = 5 * 8.314 * T = 41.57 * T J

3. Oxygen

For 3 moles of oxygen:

U_O2 = 3 * (5/2 R) * T = 7.5 * 8.314 * T = 62.355 * T J

Total Internal Energy

Now, we can sum the internal energies of all three gases:

Total U = U_He + U_H2 + U_O2

Total U = (12.471 * T) + (41.57 * T) + (62.355 * T) = 116.396 * T J

Final Thoughts

The total energy content of the gases in your container, expressed in joules, is dependent on the absolute temperature (T) of the system. If you know the temperature, you can substitute it into the final equation to find the total energy. For example, if the temperature is 300 K, the total energy would be:

Total U = 116.396 * 300 = 34918.8 J

This approach illustrates how the internal energy of a system of gases can be calculated based on the number of moles and their specific heat capacities. Understanding these principles is crucial in thermodynamics and physical chemistry.