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Physics > Thermodynamics > Flashcards

Thermodynamics Flashcards

1
Q

What is the first law of thermodynamics?

A

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

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2
Q

True or False: The second law of thermodynamics states that entropy in a closed system can decrease over time.

A

False

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3
Q

Fill in the blank: The measure of disorder or randomness in a system is known as ______.

A

entropy

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4
Q

What is the definition of thermodynamic equilibrium?

A

A state where macroscopic properties are uniform and do not change over time.

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5
Q

What does the term ‘enthalpy’ refer to?

A

The total heat content of a system, equal to the internal energy plus the product of pressure and volume.

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6
Q

Which law of thermodynamics introduces the concept of absolute zero?

A

The third law of thermodynamics.

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7
Q

True or False: A heat engine converts thermal energy into mechanical work.

A

True

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8
Q

What is the Carnot efficiency formula?

A

Efficiency = 1 - (T_c / T_h), where T_c is the cold reservoir temperature and T_h is the hot reservoir temperature.

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9
Q

What is a reversible process in thermodynamics?

A

A process that can be reversed without leaving any change in the system and surroundings.

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10
Q

Fill in the blank: The unit of temperature in the SI system is ______.

A

Kelvin

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11
Q

What is a state function?

A

A property whose value does not depend on the path taken to reach that specific value.

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12
Q

What is the significance of the Gibbs free energy?

A

It determines the spontaneity of a process at constant temperature and pressure.

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13
Q

True or False: In an isothermal process, the temperature remains constant.

A

True

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14
Q

What is the difference between an open system and a closed system?

A

An open system can exchange both matter and energy with its surroundings, while a closed system can exchange only energy.

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15
Q

What is specific heat capacity?

A

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius.

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16
Q

Fill in the blank: The process of heat transfer through direct contact is known as ______.

A

conduction

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17
Q

What is the equation for calculating work done by a gas during expansion?

A

W = PΔV, where P is pressure and ΔV is the change in volume.

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18
Q

What does the term ‘adiabatic process’ mean?

A

A process in which no heat is transferred to or from the system.

19
Q

What is the latent heat of vaporization?

A

The amount of heat required to convert a unit mass of a substance from liquid to vapor at constant temperature.

20
Q

True or False: Heat always flows from a colder object to a hotter object.

A

False

21
Q

What is the difference between an ideal gas and a real gas?

A

An ideal gas follows the ideal gas law perfectly, while a real gas exhibits interactions between molecules and does not always follow the law.

22
Q

Fill in the blank: The heat required to change a solid into a liquid at its melting point is called ______.

A

latent heat of fusion

23
Q

What is the Clausius-Clapeyron equation used for?

A

It describes the relationship between pressure and temperature during phase changes.

24
Q

What is the definition of a thermodynamic cycle?

A

A series of processes that return a system to its initial state.

25
Q

True or False: The Zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other.

A

True

26
Q

What is the purpose of a heat pump?

A

To transfer heat from a colder area to a hotter area using work.

27
Q

What does ‘thermal conductivity’ refer to?

A

The ability of a material to conduct heat.

28
Q

Fill in the blank: The temperature at which a substance changes from solid to liquid is called the ______.

A

melting point

29
Q

What is a polytropic process?

A

A thermodynamic process that follows the relation PV^n = constant, where n is a constant.

30
Q

What is the law of conservation of energy?

A

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

31
Q

True or False: In an isochoric process, the volume remains constant.

A

True

32
Q

What is the definition of work in thermodynamics?

A

The energy transfer that occurs when a force is applied to move an object.

33
Q

Fill in the blank: The process of heat transfer due to the movement of fluids is known as ______.

A

convection

34
Q

What does the term ‘thermal equilibrium’ mean?

A

A condition where two objects in contact no longer transfer heat between them.

35
Q

What is the ideal gas law?

A

PV = nRT, where P is pressure, V is volume, n is the number of moles, R is the universal gas constant, and T is temperature.

36
Q

True or False: The change in internal energy of a system is equal to the heat added to the system minus the work done by the system.

A

True

37
Q

What is the significance of the Helmholtz free energy?

A

It is used to determine the work obtainable from a closed system at constant volume and temperature.

38
Q

Fill in the blank: The change in temperature required to produce a change in the state of a substance is referred to as ______.

A

phase transition

39
Q

What is a heat exchanger?

A

A device that transfers heat between two or more fluids without mixing them.

40
Q

What is the main principle behind refrigeration?

A

Removing heat from a designated area to lower its temperature.

41
Q

True or False: Specific heat capacity is the same for all substances.

A

False

42
Q

What is the concept of ‘thermal expansion’?

A

The increase in volume of a substance due to an increase in temperature.

43
Q

Fill in the blank: The change of a substance from gas to liquid is called ______.

A

condensation

44
Q

What does the term ‘non-equilibrium thermodynamics’ refer to?

A

The study of systems that are not in thermodynamic equilibrium.

Physics (12 decks)

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