Question

A 5-kg piston in a cylinder with diameter of 100 mm is loaded with a linear spring and the outside atmospheric pressure of 100 kPa. The spring exerts no force on the piston when it is at the bottom of the cylinder and for the state shown, the pressure is 400 kPa with volume 0.4 L. The valve is opened to let some air in, causing the piston to rise 2 cm. Find the new pressure. 

Answer 1

A linear spring has a force linear proportional to displacement. F = k x, so the equilibrium pressure then varies linearly with volume: P = a + bV, with an intersect a and a slope b = dP/dV. Look at the balancing pressure at zero volume (V -> 0) when there is no spring force F = P₀A = P_oA + m_pg and the initial state. These two points determine the straight line shown in the P-V diagram.

P_iston area = AP = (π/4) × 0.1² = 0.00785 m²