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Topic: Can someone help me with conceptual understanding of enthalpy?  (Read 3117 times)

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Offline plat_num

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Can someone help me with conceptual understanding of enthalpy?
« on: December 12, 2008, 05:35:31 PM »
I understand that dU= q - w and therefore we can state that as Q=dU+ w

Since dU= q - w, substituted that into Q=du+w we get Q= q - w + w. So basically H = q.

What I can't comprehend is where constant pressure plays a role!  Why is enthalpy the heat associated with a process carried out at constant pressure, when it seems that constant pressure or not H=q?  I've read numerous articles and texts regarding Enthalpy but I always walk away with the same questions in my head.  Thanks for your time guys.

Offline enahs

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Re: Can someone help me with conceptual understanding of enthalpy?
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2008, 06:29:23 PM »
Are you familiar with calculus?
It is easy enough to show with calculus, and it comes from the calculus why we use qp as well.


Offline plat_num

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Re: Can someone help me with conceptual understanding of enthalpy?
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2008, 02:49:46 AM »
Well I understand basic calculus, but how come for internal energy, work, pressure, etc you don't need to know calculus?  What is it about enthalpy that makes it elusive to comprehend?

Offline Hunt

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Re: Can someone help me with conceptual understanding of enthalpy?
« Reply #3 on: December 16, 2008, 03:56:41 PM »
You proved that q =q , which means nothing. First begin by defining the enthalpy , which is : H = U + pV .
It becomes apparent then that the change in enthalpy equals the heat transfered at const pressure.

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