1.

An ideal gas undergoes the thermodynamic changes represented in the P V diagram below
(P Q R P).

Volume / m

Which of the following is the net work done by the gas in a cycle?
5

A.

4.5 10 J

B.

3.0 10 J

C.

1.0 10 J

D.

Zero

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5

(Total 1 mark)

2.

This question is about thermodynamics.

The PV diagram shows the expansion of a fixed mass of an ideal gas, from state A to
state B.

The temperature of the gas in state A is 400 K.

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(a)

Calculate the temperature of the gas in state B.

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(1)

(b)

(i)

Calculate the work done by the gas in expanding from state A to state B.
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(2)

(ii)

Determine the amount of thermal energy transferred during the expansion

from state A to state B.
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(2)

(c)

The gas is isothermally compressed from state B back to state A.

(i)

Using the PV diagram axes above, draw the variation of pressure with
volume for this isothermal compression.
(1)

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(ii)

State and explain whether the magnitude of the thermal energy transferred
in this case would be less than, equal to or greater than the thermal energy
transferred in (b)(ii).
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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

3.

During an adiabatic expansion, a gas does 50 J of work against the surroundings. It is

then cooled at constant volume by removing 20 J of energy from the gas. The
magnitude of the total change in internal energy of the gas is
A.

70 J.

B.

50 J.

C.

30 J.

D.

20 J.
(Total 1 mark)

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4.

The diagram shows the pressure volume relationship for a fixed mass of an ideal gas
that undergoes a cycle XYZ.

In which part(s) of the cycle is external work done on the gas?

A.

Y Z only

B.

Y Z and Z X only

C.

X Y and Z X only

D.

X Y only
(Total 1 mark)

5.

This question is about changes of state of a gas.

(a)

A cylinder fitted with a piston contains 0.23 mol of helium gas.

The following data are available for the helium with the piston in the position
shown.
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Volume
= 5.2 10 m
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Pressure
= 1.0 10 Pa
Temperature = 290 K

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(i)

Use the data to calculate a value for the universal gas constant.
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(2)

(ii)

State the assumption made in the calculation in (a)(i).

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(1)

(b)

The gas is now compressed isothermally by the piston so that the volume of the
gas is reduced. Explain why the compression must be carried out slowly.
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(c)

After the compression, the gas is now allowed to expand adiabatically to its
original volume. Use the first law of thermodynamics to explain whether the final
temperature will be less than, equal to or greater than 290 K.
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(4)
(Total 9 marks)

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6.

The diagram shows the pressure p and volume V relationship for one cycle of
operation of an engine.

Which of the labelled parts of the cycle identify isobaric changes and adiabatic changes
of state?
Isobaric

Adiabatic

A.

IV only

I and II only

B.

I and III only

II and IV only

C.

II and III only

IV only

D.

I and III only

II only
(Total 1 mark)

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7.

This question is about an ideal gas.

(a)

The graph shows a pressure-volume (PV) relationship for a fixed mass of an

ideal gas.

The gas undergoes a three-stage cycle AB, BC and CA.

(i)

Identify the isochoric (isovolumetric) change of state.

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(1)

(ii)

Use data from the graph to show that the change AB is isothermal.
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(3)

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(iii)

State the two changes for which thermal energy is transferred from the
gas.
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(1)

(iv)

Calculate the work done by the gas in the change BC.

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(2)

(b)

The amount of gas in part (a) is 0.74 mol.

Calculate the maximum temperature of the gas during the cycle in part (a).
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(4)

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(c)

The fixed mass of gas is heated from temperature T1 to T2 at constant volume.

Explain why, if this fixed mass of gas is heated from T1 to T2 at constant
pressure, the amount of energy required is different.
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(3)
(Total 14 marks)

8.

The diagram shows the pressurevolume (PV) relationship for a gas.

Which of the following area(s) is/are equal to the work done by the gas as it expands?
A.

area I

B.

area II

C.

area I + area II

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D.

area I area II
(Total 1 mark)

9.

This question is about gases and thermodynamic processes.

(a)

State one way in which a real gas differs from an ideal gas.
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(1)

(b)

The diagram shows how the pressure p varies with volume V of an ideal gas that
undergoes a cyclic change of state.

AB and CD are adiabatic changes of state. The pressure at point B is 1.8 10

4
3
Pa and the change in volume of the gas between B and C is 4.8 10 m .

(i)

State what is meant by an adiabatic change of state.

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(ii)

The change in volume of the gas between B and C takes 0.020 s.

Determine the power developed during this change of state.

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(2)

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(iii)

State during which part of the cycle thermal energy is transferred from the
gas to the surroundings.
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(1)

(c)

The energy transferred is degraded. Explain what is meant by degraded energy.

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(2)

(d)

Discuss how your answer to (c) relates to the second law of thermodynamics.
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(3)
(Total 10 marks)

10.

An ideal gas expands isothermally from a state X to a new state of volume V. The work
done by the gas is W. Which of the following is correct for an adiabatic expansion of
the gas from state X to a new state of volume V?
Change in internal energy
A.

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U > 0

Work done
greater than W
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B.

U < 0

greater than W

C.

U > 0

less than W

D.

U < 0

less than W
(Total 1 mark)

11.

A positive amount of thermal energy Q is transferred to an ideal gas from its

surroundings. The internal energy of the gas increases and the gas does a positive
amount of work W on its surroundings. The change of state of the gas is
A.

isochoric (isovolumetric).

B.

isobaric.

C.

isothermal.

D.

adiabatic.
(Total 1 mark)

12.

The graph below shows the variation of the pressure p with volume V of an ideal gas
during one cycle of an engine.

Which of the following correctly names the thermodynamic process associated with the
parts YZ and ZX of the cycle?
YZ

ZX

A.

isobaric

isochoric

B.

isobaric

isothermal

C.

isochoric

isobaric

D.

isochoric

isothermal
(Total 1 mark)

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13.

This question is about thermodynamics.

(a)

The first law of thermodynamics can be written as the following equation.

Q = U + W
Identify the symbols in this equation.
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(3)

(b)

A fixed mass of an ideal gas is contained in a cylinder by a piston. The friction

between the piston and cylinder wall is negligible.
Two procedures are carried out on the gas. The thermal energy input to the gas
is the same in both procedures.
Procedure 1 The gas is heated and expands at constant pressure with the
piston free to move. The temperature of the gas increases by 21 K.
Procedure 2 The gas is now brought back to its initial state and again heated
with the piston fixed in position. The temperature of the gas
increases by 35 K.

(i)

State the name of the process in procedure 2.

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(1)

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(ii)

Explain why the temperature change is greater in procedure 2 than in

procedure 1.
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(4)

(iii)

In procedure 1, U changes by 120 J. Use the first law of thermodynamics

to calculate the missing values in the table below.
U / J
Procedure 1
Procedure 2

+120

W/J

Q/J
+200
+200
(3)
(Total 11 marks)

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14.

The diagram shows the pressure/volume (p/V) diagram for one cycle PQRS of an
engine.

In which sections of the cycle is work done on the engine?

A.

SP only

B.

PQ only

C.

SP and PQ only

D.

RS and SP only
(Total 1 mark)

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