Physics 4311: Thermal Physics – HW Solution 5


due date: Wednesday, Mar 4, 2026

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Problem 1: Exact differentials (25 points)

a)

dua = 2xdx + dy ∂ ∂y(2x) = ∂ ∂x(1) = 0 ⇒  dua  is exact dub = 2ydx + dy ∂ ∂y(2y)≠ ∂ ∂x(1) ⇒  dub  is not exact

b)

ua = x2 + y + const

c)

Analayze dua:

I1 = ∫ 02dx2x + ∫ 02dy = 4 + 2 = 6 I2 = ∫ 02dy + ∫ 02dx2x = 2 + 4 = 6 ua(2,2) − ua(0,0) = 6

d)

Analayze dub:

I1 = ∫ 02dx0 + ∫ 02dy = 0 + 2 = 2 I2 = ∫ 02dy + ∫ 02dx2y = 2 + 8 = 10

Problem 2: Rubber elasticity (15 points)

a)

W = ∫ LiLf FdL = aT∫ LiLf [(L∕L0) − (L02∕L2)]dL = aT [1 2Lf2∕L 0 −1 2Li2∕L 0 + L02∕L f − L02∕L i] = aTL0 [1 2Lf2∕L 02 −1 2Li2∕L 02 + L 0∕Lf − L0∕Li] = −0.1758J

b)

At fixed length, the tension is proportional to the tenperature, so F increases with increasing T?

c)

Product of T and the bracket on the r.h.s. is constant ⇒ L decreases with increasing T