⚙️ Isentropic Processes & Polytropic

Analyze polytropic gas processes (PVn = C). Covers isobaric (n=0), isothermal (n=1), isentropic (n=γ), and isochoric (n→∞) as special cases. Compute W, Q, ΔU, ΔH, ΔS.

📝 Configuration

📐 Initial State
🔄 Final State & Process
0=isobaric, 1=isothermal, γ=isentropic, >20≈isochoric
🧪 Gas Properties
Air: 287, He: 2077, CO₂: 189
Air: 1.4, He: 1.667, CO₂: 1.289
Key Equations:

PVn = constant
V₂ = V₁(P₁/P₂)1/n
T₂ = T₁(P₂/P₁)(n−1)/n
W = (P₂V₂ − P₁V₁)/(1−n) for n ≠ 1
W = P₁V₁ ln(V₂/V₁) for n = 1
Q = ΔU + W · ΔS = m[c_v ln(T₂/T₁) + R ln(V₂/V₁)]

📊 Results

Configure inputs and click Analyze to view results.

📘 Methodology

Polytropic Relation

A polytropic process follows PVn = C where n is the polytropic index. This general relation encompasses all quasi-static thermodynamic processes for an ideal gas in a single framework.

Special Cases

  • n = 0: Isobaric (constant pressure)
  • n = 1: Isothermal (constant temperature)
  • n = γ: Isentropic (adiabatic reversible)
  • n → ∞: Isochoric (constant volume)

Energy Analysis

First law for closed systems: Q = ΔU + W. For ideal gases, ΔU = mc_v ΔT and ΔH = mc_p ΔT. Entropy change uses the Gibbs relation for ideal gases: ds = c_v dT/T + R dv/v.