THERMODYNAMICS

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. In the following figure A certain mass of gas traces three

paths 1,2 and 3 from state A to state B. If the work done by
the gas along these paths are W1, W2 and W3 respectively.
Then -
A

P 3
2
1
B
V

(A) W1< W2< W3 (B) W1> W2> W3

(C) W1 = W2 = W3 (D) W1< W2 but W3< W2
EXPLANATION: A
The work done by the gas system depends upon the area
enclosed between P-V curve and volume axis. The area
enclosed by curve 3 is maximum and that enclosed by curve
1 is minimum. Hence W3> W2> W1,

1
2. In the following indicator diagram (Figure), the net amount
of work done will be -

1 2
P

(A) Positive (B) negative

(C) Zero (D) infinity
Explanation: B
The cyclic process 1 is clockwise and the process 2 is
anticlockwise. Therefore W, will be positive and W2 will
be negative. Area 2 > area 1, Hence the network will be
negative.

3. In the following figure two indicator diagrams are shown. If

the amounts of work done in them are W1 and W2
respectively, then –
A
A
P P

B B
V V

(A) W1> W2 (B) W1< W2

(C) W1 = W2 (D) W1 = W2/4

2
Explanation: A
The area enclosed by first P-V curve is greater than that of
by the second curve, Therefore, W1> W2.

4. In the following figure the work done by the system in the

enclosed path ABCA is
(A) 21 (V1 – V2) (P1 – P2) (B) Zero
(C) (P2 – P1) (V2 – V1) (D) – 21 (P2 – P1) (V2 – V1)
Explanation: D
P

P2 A

P1 B C
V
V1 V2

Work done in closed path ABCA

WABCA = Area of ABC= 21 AB × BC
WABCA = – 1
2
(P2 – P1) (V2 – V1)

5. A lead bullet, when stopped by a target, just melts. If 25%

of heat is absorbed by the target then the velocity of bullet
will be if its initial temperature is 27ºC. Melting point of
lead = 327ºC, specific heat of lead = 0.03 cal/gm/ºC, latent
heat of fusion of lead = 6 cal/gm.
(A) 40.98 m/s (B) 409.8 m/s
3
 (C) 4.098 m/s (D) 4098 m/s
Explanation: C
Q = WJ
mL + ms (q2 – q1) = mv 2 75

2J 100
75v 2
2  4.2  107
= 6 + 0.03(327 – 27)
 v2 = 16.8 × 108 (cm/s)2
Taking square root v = 4.098 × 104 cm/s.
v = 4.098 m/s.

6. A block of ice of mass 50 Kg. is pushed out on a horizontal

plane with a velocity of 5 M/s. Due to friction it comes to
rest after covering a distance of 25 meter. How much ice will
melt ?
(A) 0.86 gm (B) 1.86 gm
(C) 100 gm (D) 1000 gm
Explanation: B
= 2 504.2 25
2
W mv
m = JL 
2JL  80

m = 1.86 gm.

4
7. M kilograms of a material are to be kept in melted state at
melting point and power required for this purpose is P.
When the power source is disconnected then the sample
completely solidifies in t second. The latent heat of fusion
of the material will be -
(A) PtM (B) PtM
(C) PtM (D) Pt
Explanation: B
Heat released in t second Q = ML ...(A)
Loss of heat per second P = Qt ...(B)
ML
From equation (A) and (B) P = t

 L= Pt
M

8. A bullet, moving with velocity v, is stopped by the target and

then completely melts. If the mass of bullet is m, its specific
heat is s, initial temperature is 25ºC, melting point is 475ºC
and latent heat is L, then the velocity v is given by the
relation —
(A) mL = m (475 – 25) + mv
2

2J

(B) ms (475 – 25) + mL = mv 2

2J

(C) ms (475 – 25) + mL = 2J

mv 2

(D) ms (475 – 25) = mL + 2J

mv 2

5
Explanation:
 W = JQ
W = mv2 and Q = mL + ms (2 – 1)
2

mv 2
2
= J [mL + ms (2 – 1) ]
mv 2
2
= mL + ms (475 – 25)

9. Isothermal curves are obtained by drawing –

(A) P against V (B) P against T
(C) PV against R (D) PV against V
Explanation: (A)
In an isothermal process, temperature remains constant and
process equation is, PV = constant
So a graph is drawn between P and V.

10. The work done per mole in an isothermal process is –

(A) RT log10  VV  2
(B) RT log10  V1 
 
 1   V2 

(C) RT loge  VV 2

(D) RT loge  V1 
 
 1   V2 

Explanation: (C)
Work done is given by,
W = nRT loge VV 2

Form one mole

W = RT loge VV 2

6
11. dU = – dW is true for –
(A) Isothermal process (B) Adiabatic process
(C) Isobaric process (D) Isochoric process
Explanation: (B)
In an adiabatic process, heat cannot be exchanged between
the system and surrounding so,
dQ = 0
By Ist law of thermodynamics
dQ = dU + dW
dU= –dW

12. An adiabatic change in represented by the equation –

(A) VP = constant (B) PT = constant
(C) TV = constant (D) PV = constant
Explanation: (D)
This is the actual process equation
PV= constant

13. The internal energy of monatomic and diatomic gases are

respectively due to
(A) Linear motion and rolling motion
(B) Rolling motion and linear motion
(C) Linear motion and rotatory motion
(D) Rotatory motion and linear motion

7
Explanation: (A)
The internal energy of a monatomic gas is due to linear
motion only and that of the diatomic gas is due to rolling
(linear rotatory) motion.

14. In the figure (A) indicator diagram, the net amount of work
done will be :
P
A
P2

P1
B C
V
V1 V2
Figure-1

(A) Positive (B) Negative

(C) Zero (D) Infinity
Explanation: (B)
The cyclic process 1 is clockwise and the process 2 is anti-
clockwise. Therefore w1 will be positive and w2 will be
negative area2> area1. Hence, the network will be negative.

15. In the figure (A) the work done by the system in the closed
path ABCA is
(A) (V1– V2) (P1– P2) (B) zero
(C) 1
2
(P1– P2) (V1– V2) (D) – 1
2
(P1–P2)(V1– V2)

8
Explanation: (D)
Work done in closed path ABCA
WABCA = Area of ABC
WABCA = 21 AB × BC
WABCA = – 1
2
(P1 – P2) (V1 – V2)

16. One mole of an ideal monatomic gas is caused to go through

the cycle shown in fig. then the change in the internal energy
in expanding the gas from a to c along path abc is
(A) 3P0V0 (B) 6RT0
(C) 4.5 RT0 (D) 10.5 RT0
Explanation: (D)
Tc
2P0 c
Pressure

a b
P0
T0

V0 4V0
Volume

 PV
T
= nR = constant
For any state of an ideal gas. Therefore
PV PV
T

a

T
or PTV  2PT4V
a c c 0 0 0 0

a c 0 C

Tc = 8T0
Thus change in internal energy
U = nCvT

9
 3 21
= 1× 2
× R × 7T0 = 2
RT0
= 10.5 RT0

17. The diagram shows a P-V graph of the thermodynamic

behavior of an ideal gas. Find to this graph work done in
processes A  B, B  C, C D and D  A
P(105 Newton/m2)
A B
12
10
8
6
4
2 D C
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0
V(litre)

(A) 6000 J, 0, 1000J, 0

(B) 5000 J, 0, 0, 1000 J
(C) 0, 0, 6000J, 1000J
(D) 6000J, 0, 1000J, 1000J
Explanation: (A)
The work done in a thermodynamic process is equal to the
area enclosed between the P-V curve and the volume axis.
Work done by the gas in the process A  B is
W1 = area ABB'A' = AB × A' × A
W1 = (6.0 – 1.0) litre × (12 × 105) Nxm2
W1 = 5.0 × 10-3 m3 × 12 × 105 N/m2
W1 = 6000 N-m = 6000J

10
 Work done in the process B  C is zero since volume
remains constant.
Work done on the gas in the procces C  D is
W2 = area DCB'A'
W2 = DC × AD' = (5 × 10–3) × (2 × 105) = 1000J
Work done in the process D  A is also zero.

18. The figure shows the change in a thermodynamic system is

going from an initial state A to the state B and C and
returning to the state A. if UA = 0, UB = 30J an the heat
given to the system in the process B  C, 50J, then
determine:
(i) internal energy in the state C
(ii) heat given to the system in the process A B
 pressure P(N/m2)

90 C

60

30 B
A
D E
0 1 2 3
 Volume V(m3)

(A) 80J, 90J (B) 120J, 60J

(C) 90J, 80J (D) 50J, 60J
Explanation: (A)
Work done in the process B C, W = 0
 Volume is constant and heat given to the system

11
 Q = 50J (given)
Hence, by the first law of thermodynamics, the change in the
internal energy is
U = (UC – UB) = Q – W = 50J
 = UC = UB + U = 30 + 50 = 80J

(ii) For the process A B, U = UB – UA

= 30Joule and W = area ABCD = DE × DA
= 2 x 30 = 60J
 Q = U + W = 30 + 60 = 90J

19. In the above question find out heat given to the system or
taken out from the system in the process C A and network
done in complete cycle.
(A) – 200J, 50J (B) – 200J, 60J
(C) 60J, – 200J (D) +200J , – 69J
Explanation: (B)
For the process C  A, U = UA– UC= 0 – 80
U = – 80J
and W = area ACED = area ACB + area ABED
 W = ( 21 × AB × BC) + (DE × DA)
W = ( 21 × 2 × 60) + ( 2 × 30) = 120 J

12
 Since, in this process the volume decreases, the work will be
negative (w=120Joule). That is, the work will be done on the
system. Now, by the first law of thermodynamics, will have
Q =U + W = – 80 – 120 = – 200J
Since it is negative, this heat is given out by the system and
work done in the whole cycle
= area ABC = 21 × 2 × 60 = 60J
Since, the cyclic process is traced anticlowise, the net work
will be done on the system.

20. An ideal gas expands from state (P1, V1) to state (P2, V2)
where P2 = 2P1 and V2 = 2V1. The path of the gas is
expressed by the following relation
  V  V 2 
P = P1 1   1
 
  V1  
work done is

(A) P1V1 (B) 4/3 P1V1

(C) 2P1V1 (D) 4 P1V1
Explanation: (B)
2V1 2V1  V  V 2 
W=  PdV V P1 1   V1 1   dV
V1 1  

W = P1  1  V  V12  2VV1 

2V1 2

 dV
V1  V12 
2V1

 W = P1 2V  3V 2V 2 
3
V
2
 
 1 2V1  V
1

W = 4/3 P1V1

13
21. A Carnot engine takes 103 kilocalories of heat from a reservoir
at 627ºC and exhausts it to a sink at 27ºC. The efficiency of
the engine will be
(A) 22.2% (B) 33.3%
(C) 44.4% (D) 66.6%
Explanation: (D)
Efficiency of Carnot engine
 = 1 – TT  1  900
2 300
= 2/3
1

 = 66.6 %

R
22. From the relation Cp-Cv = J
it is inferred that
(A) the gas is monatomic
(B) gas is diatomic
(C) gas obeys ideal gas equation irrespective of whether it is
mono or diatomic
(D) gas is monatomic and it can be ideal or real
Explanation: (C)
Gas obeys ideal gas equation irrespective of whether it is
mono or diatomic.

14
INTEGER TYPE QUESTIONS
23. 3000 J of heat is given to a gas at constant pressure of 2 
105 N/m2. If its volume increases by 10 litres during the
process find the change in the internal energy of the gas.
Explanation:
Q = 3000 J
W = P  V = (2  105 N/m2) (10 103 m3) = 2  103 J
U = Q – W = 3000 2000 = 1000 J.

24. The normal temperature of human body is 98.6ºF what is this

temperature in Celsius degrees ?
Explanation:
tºC = 59 (tºF – 32º)
= 5
9
(98.6º – 32º) =× 66.6º
= 37ºC

25. For what value is the Fahrenheit temperature equal to the

Celsius temperature?
Explanation:
Let x ºF = x ºC , then using it in
t ºC = 59 (t ºF – 32º)
x= 5
9
(x – 32)
or 9x = 5x – 160
or x = – 40

15
 Thus, – 40 ºC = 40 ºF

26. Water fall from a height 50m. If one third its mechanical
energy converted into heat what will be the rise in
temperature of water.
Explanation:
3
1 M  10  50
J
= M × 103 ×  [ Swater = 103 cal/kg ºC]
 = 500
3  4.2  103
 = 0.04ºC

27. A man got 100 Kcal heat from its lunch. Its efficiency is only
25% and mass of man is 60 kg. Calculate the height he can
acquire.
Explanation:
50
100
× 100 × 103 = Mgh
 25 × 103 = 60  10  h
4.2

h= 25  10  4.2
6
= 175m

28. A 63 gm bullet moving velocity 200 m/s. Collides against a

wall consequently two third of it's kinetic energy is
converted into heat. Than what will be the heat developed by
bullet in calorie. (Given: J = 4.2)
Explanation:
Q = 32   21 mvJ   32  21 (0.063)(200)
2 2
= 200 cal.
  4.2

16
29. A body of mass 2kg is dragged on a horizontal surface with
a constant speed of 2 m/s. If the coefficient of friction
between the body and the surface is 0.2, then find the heat
generated in 5 sec.

Explanation:
The work done against the force of friction
=R × displacement = 0.2 × 2 × 9.8 × 2 (in one second)
= (0.2 × 2 × 9.8 × 2) × 5 (in 5 second)
= 39. 2J
Heat generated = 39.2
4.2
= 9.33 cal

30. The height of a water spring is 50m. The difference of

temperatures at the top and bottom of the spring will be
Explanation:
mgh = ms
  = ghs  4.2
9.8  50
3
 10
= 0.117ºC


17