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Junior Inter Physics

Thermodynamics

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Long Answer Question

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Q: Explain reversible and irreversible process. Describe the working of Carnot

engine. Obtain an expression for the efficiency.

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A: Reversible process: It is a process that can be retraced back in the opposite

direction in such a way that the system passes through the same states as in the
direct process. Finally, the system and surroundings return to the original states
with no other changes any where in the universe.
It is an ideal concept.

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e.g.: Peltier effect, Seebeck effect.

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Irreversible process: It is a process that cannot be retraced back in opposite

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direction.

e.g.: Workdone against friction, Joule heating effect.

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Carnot's engine: It is a reversible engine operating between two temperatures,

which converts heat into work. The ideal gas acts as working substance, is
subjected to the sequence of steps containing the Carnot cycle.

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a) Isothermal expansion (AB): During isothermal expansion the gas taking its
state from (P1, V1, T1) to (P2, V2, T1). The heat absorbed by the gas (Q1) from
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reservoir at temperature T1 is equal to workdone by the gas.
Q1 = W1 =

( )

V
2 P(dV) =

V
2 RT1 dV

V
V1

V1

W1 = nRT1 loge

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( )

V2
.................(1)
V1

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b) Adiabatic expansion (BC): During this process the gas changes from
(P2, V2, T1) to (P3, V3, T2). Then workdone by the gas

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nR
W2 = (T1 T2) ..............(2)
1

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c) Isothermal Compression (CD): In this process the gas taking its state from
(P3, V3, T2) to (P4, V4, T2). Heat released (Q2) by the gas to the reservoir at
temperature T2 is equal to workdone on the gas.
V3
Q2 = W3 = nRT2 loge
V4 ............(3)
d) Adiabatic Compression (DA): In this process the gas compressed from
(P4, V4, T2) to (P1, V1, T1).
nR
W4 =
1 [T2 T1] ............(4)
Total workdone by the gas in one complete cycle is,

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W = W1 + W2 + W3 + W4

nR (T1 T2)
V3
nR (T1T2)
+ nRT2 loge
1
V4
1

( )
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( ) dup( )

V2
= nRT1 loge
V1

V2
V3
W = nRT1 loge nRT2 loge
V1
V4

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...(5)

Efficiency of Carnot engine is

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( )

V2
V3
nRT1 loge nRT2 loge
W
V1
V4
= =
Q1
V2
nRT1 log
V1 ....(6)

( )

From adiabatic relations

T1 V21 = T2 V31

(for B C)

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T1 V11 = T2 V41

(for D A)

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V2 1
V3 1

=
V1
V4

() ()
() ()
V2
V3
=
V4
V1

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.............(7)

From (6) & (7)

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T2
=1
T1

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Very Short Answer Questions

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Q: Define thermal equilibrium. How does it leads to Zeroth law of

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thermodynamics?

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A: Two systems are said to be in thermal equilibrium, if the temperature of two

systems are equal and there is no net flow of heat between them, when they are

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brought into thermal contact.

Zeroth law: If two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system

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separately, then they must be in equilibrium with each other.

Q: What thermodynamic variables can be defined by a) Zeroth law b) First law.

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A: In Zeroth law of thermodynamics temperature is a thermodynamic variable.

In first law of thermodynamics internal energy is a thermodynamic variable.

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Q: How much will be the internal energy change in

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1) Isothermal process 2) Adiabatic process

A: There is no change in the energy of an ideal gas in an isothermal process. i.e.,
U = 0

For an adiabatic process Q = 0

U = W

Workdone by the gas results in its internal energy.

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Short Answer Question
Q: Derive a relation between two specific heat capacities of a gas on the basis of
first law of thermodynamics.

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A: Consider one mole of an ideal gas in a cylinder provided with frictionless piston.
'A' be area of piston, during expansion of gas the piston displaced through a
distance 'dx'. Then workdone by the gas is

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dW = F.S

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= (PA) dx = P dV ............(1)

Let the gas be heated at constant volume, then dQ = Cv dT

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But at constant volume dQ = dU

dU = Cv dT ...............(2)

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Let the gas be heated at constant pressure, then dQ = Cp dT ..........(3)

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From I law of thermodynamics dQ = dU + dW

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Cp dT = Cv dT + dW

[... from (1), (2) & (3)]

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Cp Cv dT = dW

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[Cp Cv] dT = P dV = R dT

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[... from ideal gas equation P dV = R dT)

Cp Cv = R

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Writer: R. Sudha Rani

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