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
Practise IB Physics HL B.4 by linking first-law energy accounting, p–V processes, entropy and heat-engine limits in connected questions.
This question is in two parts
A gas undergoes a thermodynamic cycle. The P-V diagram for the cycle is shown below.
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.
State what is meant by an adiabatic change of state.
No thermal/heat energy is transferred in the change of state.
Marking guidance:
Allow "heat energy" but not "heat".
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.
Work is done by the gas because there is an increase in volume / gas expands.
So W is positive.
Delta U is greater than zero because P is constant and V increases.
From the first law, Q = Delta U + W, so Q is positive, which means energy is transferred into the gas.
Estimate the total work done in the cycle.
Total work done = enclosed area / number of large squares approximately 40 (+/-5).
1 square = 5 J.
Work done = 200 J (+/-25 J).
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.
The following data are available:
Suggest why AC is the adiabatic part of the cycle.
ALTERNATIVE 1
«considering expansions from A» an adiabatic process will reduce/change temperature
and so curve AC must be the steeper
ALTERNATIVE 2
temperature drop occurs for BC
therefore CA must increase temperature «via adiabatic process».
Show that the volume at C is 3.33×10−2 m3.
Alternative 1:
Use the adiabatic formula pAVA5/3=pCVC5/3, so VC=(pCpA)3/5VA.
VC=(4.60×1035.00×105)3/5×2.00×10−3=3.333×10−2 m3.
Alternative 2:
VC=VB and pAVA=pBVB.
VC=3×1045×105×2×10−3.
Alternative 3:
VC=VB and n=0.2 mol.
VC=3×1040.2×8.31×602.
For MP2, working or answer to at least 4 significant figures must be seen.
Suggest, for the change A⇒B, whether the entropy of the gas is increasing, decreasing or constant.
Increasing because thermal energy/heat is being provided to the gas « and temperature is constant, ΔS=TΔQ≫
Calculate the thermal energy (heat) taken out of the gas from B to C.
Alternative 1:
Q=ΔU=23VCΔP.
Q=23×3.33×10−2×(3.00×104−4.60×103)=1268.7≈1270 J.
Alternative 2:
Rn=6025×105×2×10−3=1.66 OR TC=1.664.6×103×3.33×10−2=92.2 K.
ΔU=23×1.661×(602−92.21)=1270 J.
Award [2] for BCA. Accept negative values.
Award MP1 if TC=92 is taken from (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.
eC=1−60292=0.847
this engine has e<ec as it should
Marking guidance:
Award [0] if no calculation shown.