Cato edited Mixing work.tex  over 10 years ago

Commit id: 26ff2640b0d6b84238d8813aff424dccfdf79305

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\item \label{pnt:mixwork} Essentially the way to extract work from mixing particles A and B is to have it so that the diaphragm is permeable to particles A and not to B. Then the partial pressure of A will push it over to B's side, reducing the total pressure in side A. Then we can do $p\,dV$ work.  \begin{itemize}  \item {\it How much work?} Say we have two containers, 1 and 2, which have initial  volumes $V1$ $V_1$  and $V_2$ respectively. Box 1 contains $N_{\rm A}$ particles of type A and box 2 contains $N_{\rm B}$ particles of type B. Everything is in contact with a thermal reservoir at fixed temperature, and we assume ensure  all processes happen sufficiently slowly that equilibrium is maintined at that temperature. For now, assume that the particles obey the ideal gas equation of state. \end{itemize}