Laws of Thermodynamics
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Physics › Laws of Thermodynamics
A gas in a closed container is heated, causing the lid of the container to rise. The gas performs 
Explanation
For this problem, use the first law of thermodynamics. The change in energy equals the increase in heat energy minus the work done.
We are given the amount of work done by the gas and the total energy of the system. Using these values, we can solve for the heat added.
A gas in a closed container is heated, causing the lid of the container to rise. The gas performs
Explanation
For this problem, use the first law of thermodynamics. The change in energy equals the increase in heat energy minus the work done.
We are given the amount of work done by the gas and the total energy of the system. Using these values, we can solve for the heat added.
Which of the following represents the first law of thermodynamics?
After falling down the hill, a ball's kinetic energy plus heat energy equals the initial potential energy
If a refrigerator is unplugged, eventually everything inside of it will return to room temperature
While melting, an ice cube remains at the same temperature
The specific heat of an object explains how easily it changes temperatures
Two systems in equilibrium with a third system are in equilibrium with each other
Explanation
The first law of thermodynamics is another wording of the law of conservation of energy. Effectively it states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can change forms.
This means that, in the given situation of the ball rolling down the hill, the total initial energy equals the final kinetic energy plus heat.
The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if a system is in equilibrium with two other systems, then the two other systems are in equilibrium with each other.
The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of a closed system will always increase.
The third law of thermodynamics states that absolute zero is the temperature at which entropy is zero.
Which of the following represents the first law of thermodynamics?
After falling down the hill, a ball's kinetic energy plus heat energy equals the initial potential energy
If a refrigerator is unplugged, eventually everything inside of it will return to room temperature
While melting, an ice cube remains at the same temperature
The specific heat of an object explains how easily it changes temperatures
Two systems in equilibrium with a third system are in equilibrium with each other
Explanation
The first law of thermodynamics is another wording of the law of conservation of energy. Effectively it states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can change forms.
This means that, in the given situation of the ball rolling down the hill, the total initial energy equals the final kinetic energy plus heat.
The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if a system is in equilibrium with two other systems, then the two other systems are in equilibrium with each other.
The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of a closed system will always increase.
The third law of thermodynamics states that absolute zero is the temperature at which entropy is zero.
According to the first law of thermodynamics, in an isothermal process __________.
it can be implied that heat added to the system is equal to work done by the system
internal energy of the system fluctuates and there exists an imbalance between work and heat
a constant amount of heat is added to the system
temperature is not affected by the internal energy of the system, work, or heat
temperature is not affected by the pressure or volume changes of the system
Explanation
According to the first law of thermodynamics, change in internal energy of a closed system is given by the difference between the heat energy added to the system and the work done by the system:
In an isothermal process, temperature is constant. Temperature is a measure of internal energy of the system. If temperature is constant, then there is no fluctuation of internal energy.
It can be implied that heat added to the system is equal to work done by the system.
According to the first law of thermodynamics, in an isothermal process __________.
it can be implied that heat added to the system is equal to work done by the system
internal energy of the system fluctuates and there exists an imbalance between work and heat
a constant amount of heat is added to the system
temperature is not affected by the internal energy of the system, work, or heat
temperature is not affected by the pressure or volume changes of the system
Explanation
According to the first law of thermodynamics, change in internal energy of a closed system is given by the difference between the heat energy added to the system and the work done by the system:
In an isothermal process, temperature is constant. Temperature is a measure of internal energy of the system. If temperature is constant, then there is no fluctuation of internal energy.
It can be implied that heat added to the system is equal to work done by the system.
Gas A is in thermal equilibrium with gases B and C. Which of the following is a valid conclusion?
Gases B and C are in thermal equilibrium with each other
No conclusion can be drawn
Thermal equilibrium of gas B is directly proportional to that of gas C
Thermal equilibrium of gas B is indirectly proportional to that of gas C
Gases A and B have equal amounts of entropy
Explanation
The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in equilibrium with each other. If gas A is in equilibrium with gas B and gas C, then gas be and gas C must be in thermal equilibrium with each other.
Three substances are added to a mug to make coffee: the coffee, which is 
The sugar is in equilibrium with the milk, based on the zeroth law of thermodynamics
The sugar is 
Heat will be transferred from the coffee to the sugar to reach equilibrium
Heat will be transferred from the sugar to the coffee to reach equilibrium
None of these conclusions are valid
Explanation
The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two objects are in thermodynamic equilibrium with a third object, then they must be in thermodynamic equilibrium with each other. In this question, the coffee is in equilibrium with both the milk and the sugar, allowing us to conclude that the milk and sugar must be in equilibrium with each other.
The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of the universe is always increasing, and is not relevant to this particular scenario.
Gas A is in thermal equilibrium with gases B and C. Which of the following is a valid conclusion?
Gases B and C are in thermal equilibrium with each other
No conclusion can be drawn
Thermal equilibrium of gas B is directly proportional to that of gas C
Thermal equilibrium of gas B is indirectly proportional to that of gas C
Gases A and B have equal amounts of entropy
Explanation
The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in equilibrium with each other. If gas A is in equilibrium with gas B and gas C, then gas be and gas C must be in thermal equilibrium with each other.
Three substances are added to a mug to make coffee: the coffee, which is
The sugar is in equilibrium with the milk, based on the zeroth law of thermodynamics
The sugar is
Heat will be transferred from the coffee to the sugar to reach equilibrium
Heat will be transferred from the sugar to the coffee to reach equilibrium
None of these conclusions are valid
Explanation
The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two objects are in thermodynamic equilibrium with a third object, then they must be in thermodynamic equilibrium with each other. In this question, the coffee is in equilibrium with both the milk and the sugar, allowing us to conclude that the milk and sugar must be in equilibrium with each other.
The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of the universe is always increasing, and is not relevant to this particular scenario.