POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• In all designs, in which a fundamental aspect is formed of mechanical pistons, Gas Pressure Laws are a core principle. In any of the example designs featured, the compression of a piston is utilised so as to hinder the initial force implementing that compression, and hence bring it to a stop, before finally returning the system to its original state. • In the context of these designs, the tilting motion of the tower will exert a considerable downward force, thereby compressing the pistons on the side to which the tower is leaning. This compression leads to a reduction in the volume of the gas inside the piston, in turn leading to an increase in the frequency with which the gas molecules collide with the walls of the cylinder. • In addition, the exertion of the forces causing the compression will of course transfer a quantity of Mechanical Energy into the gas, raising its Internal Energy and in turn, therefore, its temperature. • This is because, as the gas absorbs this Mechanical Energy, its molecules each up-take a certain fraction of it, and so their average individual Kinetic Energy will increase (remembering that gas molecules are forever in a state of random motion, while ever they possess Kinetic Energy). • The combined effect of the increased temperature (Pressure Law) and the decreased volume (Boyle’s Law) will therefore lead to a drastic increase in pressure. • This is an Adiabatic Change, in which all of the gas’ gain in Internal Energy comes from the Mechanical Work originally done upon it, and no additional thermal energy is supplied or removed. • To add to this, bearing in mind that the gas stored inside the piston will not behave entirely like an Ideal Gas, the compression of its volume will eventually begin to strain the elastic intermolecular forces of the gas, and the Potential Energy of these forces will therefore increase as well. • This will add to the pressure of the gas as it pushes back out from the inside. Referring back to the context of these designs, this will have the effect of pushing back against the leaning of the tower, therefore beginning to convey it back into its original position. PISTON COMPRESSION
Source: wikipremed.com Retrieved: April 9th 2012
Engineering Education Scheme: The Report | Points for Consideration
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