Thermodynamics - Test 1

Q1. The heat capacity of a silver coin is 1.128 cal °c–1, what should be its mass in
gram? (Specific heat of silver = 0.0564 cal g −1 °c −1)
(a) 100 (b) 50
(c) 20 (d) 70
Ans. Heat Capacity of silver coin (C') = 1.128cal∘ 𝐶 −1
Specific Heat capacity of silver coin (𝐶) = 0.0564cal𝑔−1 °𝐶 −1
𝐶 ′ = mC
1.128
𝑚 = 0.0564 = 20
Option (c) is correct
Q2. Uranium has 2 isotopes of masses 235 & 238 units. If both are present in uranium
hexafluoride gas, what is the ratio of their rms speed?
(a) 1.0010 (b) 0.0088
(c) 2.0044 (d) 1.0044
3𝑘𝑇
Ans. 𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠 = √ 𝑚

3𝑘𝑇 𝑣𝑚1 238

𝑣𝑚1 = √235 ∴𝑣 = √235
𝑚2

3𝑘𝑇
𝑣𝑚2 = √238 = 1.0044

Option (d) is correct

Q3. A container of volume of 1m3 has a gas at 1 atm. The translational kinetic energy
of gas is
(a) 1.5 × 104 𝐽 (b) 1.5 × 105 𝐽
(c) 1.5 × 10−4 𝐽 (d) 1.5 × 10−5 𝐽
Ans. Volume = 1 𝑚3
Pressure = 1 atm = 105 Pa
3 3
𝐸 = 2 𝑃𝑉 = 2 × 1 × 105 = 1.5 × 105 𝐽
Option (b) is correct
Q4. Estimate the mean free path of a molecule of air at 27°C and 1 atm. Model the
molecule as sphere with radius 𝑟 = 2.0 × 10−10 𝑚
(a) 5.8 × 10−9 𝑚 (b) 5.8 × 10−8 𝑚
(c) 5.8 × 10−10 𝑚 (d) 5.8 × 10−7 𝑚
𝑘𝐵 𝑇
Ans. 𝜆 =
√2𝜋𝑑2 𝑃
 where 𝑘𝐵 = 1.38 × 10−23 𝐽𝐾 −1; 𝑇 = 27°𝐶 = 300.15𝐾
𝑟 = 2 × 10−10 𝑚 ; 𝑑 = 4 × 10−10 𝑚; 𝑃 = 1atm = 105 𝑃𝑎

1.38 × 10−23 × 300.15

𝜆=
√2 × 3.14 × (4 × 10−10 )2 × 105
414.207×10−23
= 71.04×10−20 ×105
= 5.8 × 10−23+20−5
= 5.8 × 10−8 𝑚
Option (b) is correct
Q5. A motor cycle tyre has a pressure of 2 atm at room temperature (27 °C). If the
tyre suddenly bursts, find the resulting temperature. (𝛾 = 1.4 for air)
(a) 26. 9∘ 𝐶 (b) −26 ⋅ 9∘ 𝐶
(c) 54∘ 𝐶 (d) 37∘ 𝐶
Ans. 𝑃1 = 2 atm 𝑃2 = 1 atm
𝑇1 = 27∘ 𝐶 = 300 𝐾
𝑇2 =?
For Adiabatic Equation,
𝑃1−𝛾 𝑇 𝛾 = constant
1−𝛾 1−𝛾 𝛾
𝑃1 𝑇1 𝛾 = 𝑃2 𝑇2
𝑃 1−𝛾 𝑇 𝛾
(𝑃1 ) = (𝑇2 )
2 1

2 1−1.4 (𝑇 )1.4
2
(1) = (300)1.4

𝑇 1.4
(2)−0.4 = (300
2
)
1 0.4 2 𝑇 1.4
(2) = (300)
𝑇2 = 246.1 𝐾
= 246.1 − 273
𝑇2 = −26 ⋅ 9∘ 𝐶
Option (b) is correct
Q6. One mole of monoatomic ideal gas is initially at pressure 𝑃0 and volume 𝑉𝑜 . The
gas then undergoes a three-stage cycle consisting of the following processes.
1. An isothermal expansion till it the reaches volume 2𝑉0 and heat Q
flows into the gas.
2. An isobaric compression back to the original volume Vo.
3. An isochoric increase in pressure till the original pressure Po is regained.
 The efficiency of this cycle can be expressed as
4𝑄−2𝑅𝑇0 4𝑄−2𝑅𝑇
(a) 𝜀 = (b) 𝜀 = 4𝑄−3𝑅𝑇0
4𝑄−𝑅𝑇0 0
4𝑄+2𝑅𝑇0 4𝑄−2𝑅𝑇0
(c) 𝜀 = (d) 𝜀 = 4𝑄+3𝑅𝑇
4𝑄−𝑅𝑇0 0

Ans. (i) For isothermal process,

The amount of work done is 𝑊1 = 𝑄
This is positive as the gas is expanding in this process
(ii) For isobaric process,
The amount of work done is
𝑃0 −𝑃0 𝑉0 −𝑅𝑇0
𝑊2 = (𝑉0 − 2𝑉0 ) = =
2 2 2

and amount of heat exchanged is

5 𝑇 −5𝑅𝑇0
𝑊2 = 𝑛𝐶𝑝 𝛥𝑇 = 2 𝑅 ( 20 − 𝑇0 ) = 4

Since 𝛥𝑄2 < 0, this amount of heat flows out of the system.
(iii) For isochoric process,
The amount of work done is 𝑊3 = 0, and amount of heat exchange is
3 𝑇 3𝑅𝑇0
𝛥𝑄3 = 𝑛𝐶𝑉 𝛥𝑇 = 2 𝑅 (𝑇0 − 20) = 4

This amount of heat 𝛥𝑄3 being positive enters into the system Therefore,
𝑅𝑇0
Total workdone 𝑄− 4𝑄−2𝑅𝑇
𝜂= = 2
3𝑅𝑇0 = 4𝑄+3𝑅𝑇0
Heat input 𝑄+ 0
4
Option (d) is correct.
1
Q7. If the equation of state for a gas with internal energy 𝑈 is 𝑃𝑉 = 3 𝑈 then the
equation for an adiabatic process is
(a) 𝑃𝑉 1/3 = constant (b) 𝑃𝑉 2/3 = constant
(c) 𝑃𝑉 4/3 = constant (d) 𝑃𝑉 3/5 = constant
Ans. For adiabatic process.
𝑑𝑄 = 0
By 1st law, 𝑑𝑈 = −𝑑𝑊 = −𝑃𝑑𝑉

𝑈
But, 𝑃𝑉 = ⇒ 𝑈 = 3𝑃𝑉
3
 ⇒ 𝑑(3𝑃𝑉) = −𝑃𝑑𝑉
⇒ 3𝑃𝑑𝑉 + 3𝑉𝑑𝑃 = −𝑃𝑑𝑉
⇒ 3𝑉𝑑𝑃 = −4𝑃𝑑𝑉
𝑑𝑃 4 𝑑𝑉
⇒ = −3
𝑃 𝑉
4
Integrating, log𝑃 = − 3 log 𝑉 + log 𝑐
4
⇒ log 𝑃 + 3 log 𝑉 = log 𝑐

⇒ 𝑃𝑉 4/3 = constant
Option (c) is correct
Q8. Consider a sample of argon gas contained in a box of volume V. The root mean
square speed of the argon atom is 𝑣𝑚 . If the gas is allowed to expand at constant
pressing to a volume of 2V. The root mean square speed of the gas molecule
would be.
𝑣𝑚
(a) (b) √2𝑣𝑚
2
𝑣𝑚
(c) (d) 2𝑣𝑚
√2

3𝑘𝑇
Ans. 𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠 = √ 𝑚
3𝑃𝑉
𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠 = √ (1)
𝑚
3𝑃(2 𝑉) 6𝑃 𝑉
𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠 ′ = √ =√ (ii)
𝑚 𝑚
= √2𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠
∴ 𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠 ′ = √2𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠 .

Option (b) is correct.

Q9. Above a temperature To, the specific heat of a certain gas is approximately 3.5 R,
& is approximately 2.5 R below To. The gas is most likely
(a) oxygen (b) ozone
(c) carbon dioxide (d) argon
Ans. It depends on whether the gas is diatomic or monoatomic
If diatomic, for low temp, degree of freedom = 5
5 𝜕𝑈 5
𝑈 = 2 𝑘𝐵 𝑇 and 𝐶𝑣 = = 2 𝑘𝐵 = 2.5𝑘𝐵
𝜕𝑇

for high temp, 𝐹 = 5 + 2 → Vibrational Mode

7
𝑈 = 2 𝑘𝐵 𝑇
𝐶𝑣 = 3.5𝑘𝐵
∴ The given data is for diatomic. The gas is most likely oxygen
Q10. A 50 kg man is running at a speed of 18 km/hour. If all the kinetic energy of man
can be used to increase the temperature of water from 20°C to 30°C, how much
water can be heated with this energy?
(a) 30gm (b) 7.5gm
(c) 15gm (d) 45gm
1
Ans. 𝐾𝐸 = 2 𝑚𝑣 2 where 𝑚 = 50 kg and 𝑣 = 18 km/ℎ = 5𝑚/𝑠
1
= × 50 × (5)2
2
= 625
4.18𝐽
𝛥𝑄 = 𝑚𝑆𝛥𝑇 = 5 𝑚/𝑠 where S of water = 1 cal/g °C= 10−3𝑘𝑔𝐾
𝑚×4.18
So, 625 = × 10
10−3
625
⇒ × 10−3 = 𝑚
41.8
⇒ 14.95 × 10−3 𝑘𝑔 = 𝑚
⇒ 𝑚 ≈ 15𝑔𝑚
Option (c) is correct
Q11. During an experiment, an ideal gas is found to obey a condition 𝑉𝑃2 = constant.
The gas is initially at a temperature T, pressure P and volume V. The gas expands
to volume 4V.
(a) the pressure of gas changes to P/2
(b) the temperature of gas changes to 4T.
(c) the graph of the above process on P – T diagram is parabola
(d) the graph of the above process on P – T diagram is hyperbola.
Ans. (a) The pressure of gas changes to P/2
𝑉𝑃2 = constant
⇒ 𝑉1 𝑃12 = 𝑉2 𝑃22
⇒ 𝑉𝑃2 = 4𝑉𝑃22
𝑃2
⇒ 𝑃22 = 4
𝑃
⇒ 𝑃2 = (is correct)
2

(b) 𝑃𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇
⇒ 𝑃1 𝑉1 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇1 ⇒ 𝑃𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇 (i)
𝑃
⇒ 𝑃2 𝑉2 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇2 ⇒ 2 4𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇2 (ii)
𝑉𝑃 𝑛𝑅𝑇 1 𝑇
⇒ 2𝑃𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇 ⇒ 2 = 𝑇
2 2

(wrong) 𝑇2 = 2𝑇
 (d) 𝑃𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇
𝑃𝛽
⇒ = 𝑛𝑅𝑇
𝑃2

⇒ 𝑃𝑇 = constant
Q12. Let 𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠 , 𝑣̅ and 𝑣𝑝 respectively denote the root mean square speed, mean speed
& most probable speed of the molecules in an ideal monoatomic gas at absolute
temperature T. The mass of a molecule is m. Then,
(a) no molecule can have a speed greater than √2𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠
(b) no molecule can have a speed less than 𝑣𝑝 /√2
(c) 𝑣𝑝 < 𝑣̅ < 𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠
3
(d) the average kinetic energy of a molecule is 4 𝑚𝑣𝑝 2

8𝑘𝑇 2𝑘𝑇 3𝑘𝑇

Ans. (c) 𝑣̄ = √ 𝜋𝑚 𝑣𝑝 = √ 𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠 = √
𝑚 𝑚

𝑣𝑝 < 𝑣̄ < 𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠

1
(d) 𝐾 = 2 𝑚(𝑣 2 )𝑎𝑣𝑔 (1)

3𝑘𝑇
Now, √(𝑣 2 )𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠 = √ 𝑚

2𝑘𝑇 3 3𝑘𝑇 3
And, 𝑣𝑝 = √ ⇒ √2 𝑣𝑝 = √ ⇒ √2 𝑣𝑝 = 𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝑚 𝑚
2
3 3
So, (𝑣 2 ) 𝑎𝑣𝑔 = (𝑣𝑟𝑚𝑠 )2 = (√2 𝑣𝑝 ) = 2 𝑣𝑝 2

3
𝐾 = 4 𝑚𝑣𝑝 2

Option (c) & (d) are correct

Q13. At what pressure will the mean free path be 50 cm for spherical molecules of
radius 3 × 10−10 𝑚? Assume an ideal gas at 20°c. The answer is_________ m
Pa (upto one place decimal)
𝑘𝐵 𝑇
Ans. 𝜆 =
√2𝜋𝑑2 𝑃
1.38×10−23 ×293
⇒ 50 × 10−2 =
√2×3.14×(6×10−10 )2 ×𝑃
404.34×10−23
⇒ 𝑃 = 7991.928×10−20 ×10−2
⇒ 𝑃 = 0.005 Pa
⇒ 𝑃 = 5𝑚Pa is correct answer
Q14. Two moles of a diatomic ideal gas is taken through PT = constant if its
temperature is increased from To to 2To, the work done by the system
is__________ To joule (upto one decimal place)
Ans. 𝑛 = 2 moles
𝛽
𝑃𝑇 = constant ⇒ 𝑃𝑇 = 𝛽 ⇒ 𝑃 = 𝑇

𝑃𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇
𝑛𝑅𝑇 𝑛𝑅𝑇 2
𝑣= =
𝑃 𝛽
𝑛𝑅
𝑑𝑉 = 2𝑇𝑑𝑇
𝛽
2𝑇0
𝛽 𝑛𝑅2𝑇 2𝑇
𝑊 = ∫ 𝑃𝑑𝑉 = ∫ 𝑑𝑇 = 2𝑛𝑅|𝑇| 𝑇0 0
𝑇0 𝑇 𝛽
= 2𝑛𝑅𝑇0 = 2 × 2 × 8.314𝑇0 = 33.2𝑇0 is the correct answer

Q15. An ideal gas expands isothermally along AB and does 700 joule of work. The gas
then expands adiabatically along BC & does 100 joule of work.

when the gas returns to A along the curved path CA, it exhausts 100 joule of heat
to its surroundings, the work done on the gas along the path CA is_________
(joule)
Ans. (i) AB is isothermal process,
∴ 𝑑𝑈1 = 0
𝑑𝑄1 = 𝑑𝑊1
𝑑𝑊1 = 700 𝐽 = 𝑑𝑄1
(ii) BC is adiabatic Process
𝑑𝑄2 = 0
𝑑𝑊 = −𝑑𝑈
𝑑𝑊2 = 100 𝐽
𝑑𝑈2 = −100 𝐽
Now, 𝑑𝑈1 + 𝑑𝑈2 + 𝑑𝑈3 = 0
⇒ 0 − 100 + 𝑑𝑈3 = 0
⇒ 𝑑𝑈3 = 100
(iii) In process CA,
𝛥𝑄3 = −100 𝐽 (exhausts 100 J to surrounding)
𝛥𝑄 = 𝛥𝑈 + 𝛥𝑊
 𝛥𝑊3 = 𝛥𝑄 − 𝛥𝑈
Work ⇒ 𝛥𝑊3 = −100 − (100) = −200 𝐽
Work done along CA path is (–200 J)

ANSWER KEYS
1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4. (b) 5. (b)
6. (d) 7. (c) 8. (b) 9. (a) 10. (c)
11. (a, d) 12. (c, d) 13. (4.9 to 5.2) 14. (32.0 to 15. (–200)
34.0)