IB Physics HL B 4 Thermodynamics Questions

Practise IB Physics HL B.4 by linking first-law energy accounting, p–V processes, entropy and heat-engine limits in connected questions.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Physics HL
Level
HL

Exam points

  • Apply the first law and ideal-gas internal-energy relationships to account for heat, work and temperature changes in closed-system processes and complete cycles.
  • Interpret p–V diagrams and gas-process conditions to calculate work, state variables and energy transfers, including comparisons of isobaric, isothermal and adiabatic paths.
  • Calculate and interpret entropy changes using heat-transfer, temperature and microstate evidence, then apply the second law to system, surroundings and isolated-whole scenarios.
  • Analyse cyclic heat-engine diagrams to determine net work, identify Carnot stages and explain how process conditions and irreversibility affect practical operation.
  • Calculate heat-engine and Carnot efficiencies from work, heat and reservoir temperatures, determine missing energy quantities, and test real-engine claims against the theoretical limit.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 8]

This question is in two parts

Question (a)

(a)

A gas undergoes a thermodynamic cycle. The P-V diagram for the cycle is shown below.

Figure for Question (a) — IB Physics HL

In the changes of state B to C and D to A , the gas behaves as an ideal gas and the changes in state are adiabatic.

[ 1 ]

Question (i)

(i)

State what is meant by an adiabatic change of state.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

With reference to the first law of thermodynamics, explain for the change of state A to B, why energy is transferred from the surroundings to the gas.

[ 4 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Estimate the total work done in the cycle.

[ 3 ]

Question 2

[Maximum number: 10]

The p V diagram shows a heat engine cycle consisting of adiabatic, isothermal and isovolumetric parts. The working substance of the engine is an ideal gas.

Figure for Question 2 — IB Physics HL

The following data are available:

pA=5.00×105 PaVA=2.00×103 m3TA=602 KpB=3.00×104 PapC=4.60×103 Pa\begin{aligned} & p_{\mathrm{A}}=5.00 \times 10^{5} \mathrm{~Pa} \\ & V_{\mathrm{A}}=2.00 \times 10^{-3} \mathrm{~m}^{3} \\ & T_{\mathrm{A}}=602 \mathrm{~K} \\ & p_{\mathrm{B}}=3.00 \times 10^{4} \mathrm{~Pa} \\ & p_{\mathrm{C}}=4.60 \times 10^{3} \mathrm{~Pa} \end{aligned}

Question (a)

(a)

Suggest why AC is the adiabatic part of the cycle.

[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Show that the volume at C is 3.33×102 m33.33 \times 10^{-2} \mathrm{~m}^{3}.

[ 2 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Suggest, for the change ABA \Rightarrow B, whether the entropy of the gas is increasing, decreasing or constant.

[ 2 ]

Question (d)

(d)

Calculate the thermal energy (heat) taken out of the gas from B to C.

[ 2 ]

Question (e)

(e)

The highest and lowest temperatures of the gas during the cycle are 602 K and 92 K .

The efficiency of this engine is about 0.6 . Outline how these data are consistent with the second law of thermodynamics.

[ 2 ]
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