Heat & Thermodynamics MCQs set 3 for PU CET Lahore (Engineering & CS) Physics — 20 solved questions.
Q1. The coefficient of performance of a refrigerator is given by
Answer: T_cold / (T_hot - T_cold)
Explanation: COP = Q_cold / W = T_cold / (T_hot - T_cold), derived from the definition of COP and the Carnot refrigerator.
Q2. A gas expands isothermally. The work done is maximum when
Answer: The expansion is reversible
Explanation: Maximum work is done in a reversible isothermal expansion, a fundamental principle in thermodynamics.
Q3. A Carnot engine operates between 300 K and 600 K. Its efficiency is
Answer: 50%
Explanation: Efficiency = 1 - (T_sink / T_source) = 1 - (300 / 600) = 0.5 or 50%.
Q4. The ratio of the specific heats (Cp/Cv) for a diatomic gas is
Answer: 1.4
Explanation: For a diatomic gas, Cp/Cv = 7/5 = 1.4, derived from the equipartition theorem.
Q5. The change in entropy when a hot body is brought into contact with a cold body is
Answer: Positive
Explanation: When a hot body is brought into contact with a cold body, the total entropy increases, as the process is irreversible.
Q6. The temperature of a body is 300 K. Its temperature in Celsius is
Answer: 27°C
Explanation: T(°C) = T(K) - 273.15 = 300 - 273.15 = 26.85 ≈ 27°C.
Q7. A heat engine operates between 1000 K and 500 K. The maximum possible efficiency is
Answer: 50%
Explanation: Maximum efficiency = 1 - (T_sink / T_source) = 1 - (500 / 1000) = 0.5 or 50%.
Q8. The entropy of a system is a measure of its
Answer: Disorder or randomness
Explanation: Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness of a system, a fundamental concept in thermodynamics.
Q9. A thermodynamic process is reversible if
Answer: It is quasi-static and there is no dissipation
Explanation: A reversible process is one that is quasi-static and has no dissipation, a key concept in thermodynamics.
Q10. A gas is compressed isothermally. The work done on the gas is 200 J. The change in internal energy is
Answer: 0 J
Explanation: In an isothermal process, the internal energy of an ideal gas remains constant, so ΔU = 0.
Q11. The root mean square speed of the molecules of a gas is proportional to
Answer: √T
Explanation: The rms speed is given by √(3RT/M), so it is proportional to √T.
Q12. A system undergoes a reversible adiabatic expansion. The entropy change is
Answer: Zero
Explanation: In a reversible adiabatic process, ΔS = 0 because Q = 0 and the process is reversible.
Q13. A gas expands against a constant external pressure of 1 atm. If the volume change is 2 L, the work done by the gas is
Answer: 2 L atm
Explanation: W = P * ΔV = 1 atm * 2 L = 2 L atm.
Q14. The coefficient of performance of a refrigerator is 5. If the temperature inside the refrigerator is 250 K, the temperature outside is
Answer: 300 K
Explanation: COP = T_cold / (T_hot - T_cold), so 5 = 250 / (T_hot - 250), giving T_hot = 300 K.
Q15. The molar specific heat capacity at constant volume for a monatomic gas is
Answer: 3/2 R
Explanation: For a monatomic gas, Cv = (3/2)R.
Q16. A thermodynamic process is represented by a straight line on a P-V diagram. The process is
Answer: Isothermal
Explanation: A straight line on a P-V diagram represents an isothermal process for an ideal gas.
Q17. The change in entropy of a system is given by ΔS = Q / T. This equation is valid for
Answer: Reversible processes
Explanation: ΔS = Q / T is valid for reversible processes.
Q18. A gas is heated at constant pressure. The fraction of heat energy used to do work is
Answer: R / Cp
Explanation: Fraction of heat used to do work = W / Q = (nRΔT) / (nCpΔT) = R / Cp.
Q19. The ratio of the specific heat capacities of a gas is 1.4. The gas is
Answer: Diatomic
Explanation: For a diatomic gas, Cp / Cv = 1.4 (or 7/5).
Q20. The work done in an adiabatic expansion is 100 J. The change in internal energy is
Answer: -100 J
Explanation: In an adiabatic process, Q = 0, so ΔU = -W = -100 J.