All questions
AP Physics 2
9.4 The First Law of Thermodynamics
IntermediateMCQDrawing RepresentationsMathematicalConceptual21.7k
A two-dimensional Pressure versus Volume (P-V) Cartesian graph on a white background. The vertical axis is labeled 'Pressure P (kPa)' with tick marks at 100, 200, 300, and 400. The horizontal axis is labeled 'Volume V (10^-3 m^3)' with tick marks at 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0. Three points are plotted: point A at (2.0, 400), point B at (5.0, 400), and point C at (5.0, 100). A horizontal straight line with a rightward directional arrow connects point A to point B. A vertical straight line with a downward directional arrow connects point B to point C. A straight line segment with a diagonal upward-left directional arrow connects point C back to point A, forming a closed triangular cycle oriented clockwise. Thin gray dashed gridlines extend from points A, B, and C to the respective tick marks on both axes. No other labels, lines, text, or axes appear.
Pressure versus volume graph for a three-step cyclic thermodynamic process.
A sample of an ideal gas undergoes a cyclic thermodynamic process \(A \rightarrow B \rightarrow C \rightarrow A\), as shown in the \(P\text{--}V\) diagram. Process \(A \rightarrow B\) is an isobaric expansion, process \(B \rightarrow C\) is an isochoric pressure drop, and process \(C \rightarrow A\) is a linear compression returning the gas to its initial state. What is the net thermal energy \(Q\) added to the gas during one complete cycle?

Log In to Continue

Accounts are free! Log in to try this question, see explanations, save progress, and more!

Tools for a 5