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AP · AP 2 · free response

AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based · Question 7

AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based · Original GioPhysics question with a detailed, mark-by-mark answer guide.

Demand
demanding
Marks
12
Topics
1
Answer
Complete
Pressure-volume diagram of the closed cycle A to B to C to D and back to A01.02.03.04.001.02.03.0volume V / 10⁻³ m³pressure P / 10⁵ PaABCD
Figure 3A pressure-volume graph with a faint grid. The horizontal axis is volume V in units of 10⁻³ m³, marked from 0 to 4.0; the vertical axis is pressure P in units of 10⁵ Pa, marked from 0 to 3.0. Four states are plotted as dots at the corners of a rectangle and labelled: A at V = 1.0 and P = 2.0, B at V = 3.0 and P = 2.0, C directly below B at P = 1.0, and D directly below A at P = 1.0. Straight lines join A to B to C to D and back to A, and an arrow on each side shows the order in which the gas is taken round the closed cycle.
free response12 marks

A fixed quantity of a monatomic ideal gas is taken around the closed cycle A → B → C → D → A. State A is at pressure 2.0 × 10⁵ Pa and volume 1.0 × 10⁻³ m³. The gas expands at constant pressure to state B at 3.0 × 10⁻³ m³. It is then cooled at constant volume to state C at 1.0 × 10⁵ Pa. It is compressed at constant pressure to state D at 1.0 × 10⁻³ m³, and finally warmed at constant volume back to state A.

  1. (a)

    Calculate Calculate the work done by the gas during the process A → B.

    2 marks
  2. (b)

    Determine Determine the change in internal energy of the gas during A → B, and hence the thermal energy added to the gas.

    4 marks
  3. (c)

    Determine Determine the net work done by the gas in one complete cycle.

    3 marks
  4. (d)

    Explain Explain why the change in internal energy of the gas over one complete cycle is zero, and state what this implies about the net thermal energy exchanged with the surroundings.

    3 marks
Ready to self-mark?Reveal the detailed answer guide
Answer overviewKey answer: 1 point: W = PΔV for a constant-pressure process 1 point: W = 2.0 × 10⁵ × 2.0 × 10⁻³ = 400 J, done by the gas 1 point: for a monatomic ideal gas ΔU = (3/2)nRΔT = (3/2)Δ(PV)
01

(a)

2 marks

Calculate Calculate the work done by the gas during the process A → B.

How to approach it

List the given quantities with units, identify the required quantity, write the governing relationship before substituting, and keep extra digits until the final line so rounding does not distort the result.

  1. 1

    1 point: W = PΔV for a constant-pressure process

  2. 2

    1 point: W = 2.0 × 10⁵ × 2.0 × 10⁻³ = 400 J, done by the gas

02

(b)

4 marks

Determine Determine the change in internal energy of the gas during A → B, and hence the thermal energy added to the gas.

How to approach it

List the given quantities with units, identify the required quantity, write the governing relationship before substituting, and keep extra digits until the final line so rounding does not distort the result.

  1. 1

    1 point: for a monatomic ideal gas ΔU = (3/2)nRΔT = (3/2)Δ(PV)

  2. 2

    1 point: Δ(PV) = 2.0 × 10⁵ (3.0 × 10⁻³ − 1.0 × 10⁻³) = 400 J, so ΔU = 600 J

  3. 3

    1 point: applies the first law, Q = ΔU + W_by

  4. 4

    1 point: Q = 600 + 400 = 1000 J added to the gas

03

(c)

3 marks

Determine Determine the net work done by the gas in one complete cycle.

How to approach it

List the given quantities with units, identify the required quantity, write the governing relationship before substituting, and keep extra digits until the final line so rounding does not distort the result.

  1. 1

    1 point: net work is the area enclosed by the cycle on the PV diagram

  2. 2

    1 point: area = (2.0 × 10⁵ − 1.0 × 10⁵)(3.0 × 10⁻³ − 1.0 × 10⁻³)

  3. 3

    1 point: net work = 200 J, done by the gas because the cycle is traversed clockwise

04

(d)

3 marks

Explain Explain why the change in internal energy of the gas over one complete cycle is zero, and state what this implies about the net thermal energy exchanged with the surroundings.

How to approach it

List the given quantities with units, identify the required quantity, write the governing relationship before substituting, and keep extra digits until the final line so rounding does not distort the result.

  1. 1

    1 point: internal energy is a function of state and depends only on the temperature

  2. 2

    1 point: the gas returns to state A, so its temperature — and hence its internal energy — is the same as at the start, giving ΔU = 0 for the cycle

  3. 3

    1 point: by the first law the net thermal energy added must equal the net work done by the gas, 200 J

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