NEET Physics · Thermodynamics

Heat, work, internal energy and the first law

Taught in NCERT Class 11 Physics, Chapter 11: Thermodynamics.

2 verified questions: Easy 0 · Medium 2 · NEET level 0

Sample questions

Sample 1Medium

On a P-V diagram (V in m³ on the x-axis, P in Pa on the y-axis) a gas is taken round a rectangle with corners at (1 × 10⁻³, 1 × 10⁵), (1 × 10⁻³, 3 × 10⁵), (3 × 10⁻³, 3 × 10⁵) and (3 × 10⁻³, 1 × 10⁵), traversed clockwise. How much heat does the gas absorb in one cycle?

  1. A

    Zero, because the gas returns to its initial state

  2. B

    200 J

  3. C

    600 J

  4. D

    400 J

Show the answer
The answer is D.

In a cycle ΔU = 0, so Q = W. The net work equals the enclosed area, (2 × 10⁵ Pa)(2 × 10⁻³ m³) = 400 J, positive for a clockwise cycle. So 400 J of heat is absorbed.

  • A.

    The internal energy change is zero, but net work is done, so net heat is not zero.

  • B.

    200 J is half the enclosed area of 400 J.

  • C.

    600 J is the work done in the expansion at 3 × 10⁵ Pa alone, without subtracting the work done on the gas in the compression.

NCERT: Class 11 Physics, Chapter 11

Practise Heat, work, internal energy and the first law

Practice at the level you choose, with the answer after every question; timed tests with the answers when you submit. Every question is verified against NCERT first.

Sign in to practise

More in Thermodynamics