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1.

A closed cylindrical container is filled with a monatomic ideal gas at room temperature. The area of the circular top
surface of the container is and the area of the cylindrical side of the container is , as indicated in the figure.
Which of the following statements about the pressure exerted by the gas on the top and side of the container is
correct?
(A) The gas exerts zero pressure on the top and side.
(B) The gas exerts the same nonzero pressure on the top and the side.
(C) The gas exerts a greater pressure on the top than on the side.
(D) The gas exerts a greater pressure on the side than on the top.

2. A monatomic ideal gas consists of atoms with mass . The gas has temperature and the root-mean-square
velocity of the gas atoms is . The temperature of the gas is then doubled to temperature . The root-
mean-square velocity of the gas atoms at is . Which of the following correctly compares to ?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

3. Identical containers and each contain a sample of the same monatomic ideal gas. The two samples have the
same temperature but the pressure of the gas in Container is greater than the pressure of the gas in Container .
A student claims that Container must contain more gas atoms than Container . Which of the following correctly
indicates whether the claim is correct or incorrect, and provides a valid justification?
Correct, because the average speed of the gas atoms is the same in both gases and therefore the number of
(A)
collisions per second of the atoms with the container walls must be greater in Container .
Correct, because having more gas atoms means that the average speed of the atoms will be greater and each
(B)
atom in Container will on average exert a greater force on the container walls.
Incorrect, because the gases in both containers are at the same temperature and therefore must have the same
(C)
number of gas atoms.
Incorrect, because the pressure of the gas in Container is greater and therefore will have fewer collisions
(D)
per second with the container walls.

4. In a sample of a monatomic ideal gas, a particular gas atom has speed at time . At a later time , the gas atom
has speed . Which of the following correctly indicates how the temperature of the gas may have changed,
and provides a valid justification?

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The temperature may have increased or decreased, because the speed of a single atom does not provide
(A)
information about the average speed of all of the atoms in the sample.
The temperature may have increased or decreased, because temperature is not related to the average speed of
(B)
gas atoms.
(C) The temperature must have increased, because the speed of all atoms increases with increasing temperature.
The temperature must have increased, because the increase in speed of the atom will increase the overall
(D)
average speed of all of the atoms in the sample.

5. Monatomic Gas consists of atoms of mass and has temperature . Monatomic Gas consists of atoms of
mass and has temperature . Which of the following correctly compares and
, the average kinetic energy atoms in Gas and Gas , respectively?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D) The comparison cannot be made without knowing the pressure of the gases.

6.

Containers , , and are filled with samples of the same monatomic ideal gas and then sealed. The containers
are then brought to different temperatures. The figure below shows the distributions of the speeds of the gas atoms
inside the three different containers labeled , , and . Which gas has the greatest temperature?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D) It cannot be determined without knowing the masses of the atoms in the gases.

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7.

Two samples, and , of the same ideal gas are at different temperatures. A graph of the number of gas atoms per
unit speed as a function of atom speed is shown. A single gas atom is selected at random from each sample. Which
of the following statements about the expected speeds of the gas atoms is correct?
(A) The atom from Sample must have a smaller speed than the atom from Sample .
(B) The atom from Sample must have a greater speed than the atom from Sample .
(C) The atom from Sample is more likely to have a smaller speed than the atom from Sample .
(D) The atom from Sample is more likely to have a greater speed than the atom from Sample .

8.

An ideal monatomic gas is initially in State and undergoes a thermodynamic process. After the process, the gas is
in State . The graph shows the distribution of atomic speeds of the gas in states and . Which of the following
correctly indicates whether the temperature of the gas increased or decreased, and provides a valid justification?
(A) Increased, because the average kinetic energy of the gas atoms increased
(B) Increased, because number of gas particles increased
(C) Decreased, because the average kinetic energy of the gas atoms decreased
(D) Decreased, because the number of gas particles decreased

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9.

Cylindrical containers , , and hold samples of the same monatomic ideal gas. The gas pressure is the same in
all three containers. The areas of the tops of the containers and the temperature of the gas in the containers is
indicated in the figure. Which of the following correctly compares , , and , the forces exerted by the gas
on the tops of containers , , and , respectively?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

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1.

The figure shows an ideal gas in a cylindrical container with a piston that can move with negligible friction. The
container is placed in hot water that is kept at a constant temperature. As the gas reaches thermal equilibrium with
the water, the root-mean-square speed of the gas atoms doubles while the gas pressure remains constant. Which of
the following is equal to , the ratio of the final volume to the initial volume ?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

2. An ideal gas initially at pressure and temperature is sealed inside a container of volume . The gas
undergoes a thermodynamic process, after which the temperature of the gas is and the volume is . Which
of the following is equal to the pressure of the gas after the thermodynamic process?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

3. A sample of an ideal gas in a closed container with a moveable piston is taken from State to State by a
thermodynamic process in which the gas expands, and the temperature of the gas at State is less than the
temperature of the gas at State . Which of the following graphs of pressure as a function of volume corresponds to
this process?

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(A)

(B)

(C)

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(D)

4. Samples and of different monatomic ideal gases are in separate containers with the same volume. Both gases
have the same pressure, but Sample has a greater temperature than Sample . Which of the following correctly
compares the number of moles in Sample to the number of moles in Sample ?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D) The comparison cannot be made without knowing the relative masses of the gas atoms.

5. An ideal gas goes through a thermodynamic process during which the pressure of the gas and the number of moles
of the gas remain constant. Which of the following indicates possible changes, if any, to the temperature and
volume of the gas?

Temperature Volume
A Decreases Decreases
B Decreases Increases
C Stays the same Decreases
D Stays the same Increases

(A) A
(B) B
(C) C
(D) D

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6.

A sample of an ideal gas is in a sealed container with a moveable piston. During a thermodynamic process, the
pressure and volume of the gas can be described by the equation , where is a positive constant with
appropriate units. The graph shows as a function of during the process. Which of the following claims best
describes how the temperature of the gas changes, if at all, during the process?
(A) The temperature decreases.
(B) The temperature increases.
(C) The temperature remains constant.
(D) The temperature could decrease, increase, or stay the same depending on how many atoms are in the gas.

7. An ideal gas with temperature and pressure is sealed in a container with a movable piston. The piston is then
slowly compressed so that the volume of the gas is reduced to half the original volume while the temperature of the
gas is constant. Which of the following choices correctly compares the pressure of the gas at the new volume to
the original pressure ?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D) The pressures cannot be compared without knowing the number of moles of gas in the container.

8. An ideal gas with initial pressure and temperature is placed inside a flexible, spherical balloon of radius .
The gas slowly expands at a constant temperature, resulting in the spherical balloon having a final radius of .
What is the final pressure of the gas in terms of ?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

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9.

The graph shows the pressure of a gas in a sealed container as a function of the temperature of the gas. Which of the
following claims are supported by the graph?
(A) There is a temperature that corresponds to zero pressure.
(B) There is a maximum possible temperature of an ideal gas.
(C) The pressure of a gas is proportional to the volume of the gas at a constant temperature.
(D) The temperature of a gas is proportional to the volume of the gas at a constant pressure.

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1.

Two blocks at different temperatures are placed in thermal contact, as shown in the figure, and are isolated from
their surroundings. The temperature of Block is greater than the temperature of Block . Which of the following
correctly describes what happens to the temperature of each block immediately after the blocks are placed in
thermal contact with each other?

Temperature of Cube Temperature of Cube

A Decreases Increases
B Decreases Decreases
C Increases Decreases
D Increases Increases

(A) A
(B) B
(C) C
(D) D

2. Two samples of gas, one with two moles of helium gas and the other with two moles of xenon gas, are sealed in
separate thermally conducting containers of the same volume. A xenon atom is more massive than a helium atom.
The helium gas is heated until it has twice the temperature of the xenon gas. After this heating process, the two
containers are placed in thermal contact, but isolated from their surroundings, and allowed to reach thermal
equilibrium. Which of the following correctly indicates the direction of energy transfer between the gases, and
provides a valid justification?
From the helium gas to the xenon gas, energy transfer occurs from less massive gas atoms to more massive
(A)
gas atoms
From the xenon gas to the helium gas, because energy transfer occurs from regions of lower temperatures to
(B)
regions of higher temperature
From the xenon gas to the helium gas, energy transfer occurs from more massive gas atoms to less massive
(C)
gas atoms
From the helium gas to the xenon gas, because energy transfer occurs from regions of higher temperatures to
(D)
regions of lower temperature

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3.

Cube and Cube are brought into thermal contact, as shown, but are thermally isolated from the surroundings.
After a long time, the temperature of Cube has decreased and the temperature of Cube has increased. Which of
the following correctly compares the initial temperatures and of Cube and Cube , respectively?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D) The comparison cannot be made without knowing the relative sizes of the blocks.

4. A metal cube is heated until its temperature is . The metal cube is then submerged in water that has a
temperature of . The system, which includes the metal cube and water, is isolated from its surroundings and is
allowed to reach thermal equilibrium. A student claims that the temperature of the water will eventually increase to
. Is the student’s claim correct? Why or why not?
No, because the metal cube will transfer energy to the water until the metal cube reaches a temperature of
(A)
.
No, because the metal cube cools down and the water and the metal cube have the same temperature in
(B)
equilibrium.
(C) Yes, because the cube will transfer all of its energy to the water.
(D) Yes, because the equilibrium temperature is equal to the greater temperature of the two interacting materials.

5. A hot metal sphere is placed in a vacuum chamber close to, but not touching, a cool metal sphere. The chamber is
thermally isolated from the surroundings. After a long time, both metal spheres are at thermal equilibrium with each
other. A student claims that no energy was transferred between the spheres. Is the claim correct? Why or why not?
(A) Yes, because energy transfer by conduction requires contact
(B) Yes, because energy cannot be transferred in a vacuum
(C) No, because energy can be transferred from the hotter sphere to the cooler sphere by radiation
(D) No, because energy can be transferred from the hotter sphere to the cooler sphere by convection

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6.

Blocks , , and are placed in thermal contact with each other, as shown, and isolated from the surroundings.
Initially, the temperatures of blocks , , and are , , and , respectively, where . After
a long time, the blocks reach thermal equilibrium at temperature . Which of the following comparisons is
correct?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

7.

A container with three sections initially contains samples of three different monatomic ideal gases, which are
separated by removable barriers, as shown. The container is thermally isolated from its surroundings. The masses of
gas atoms in gases , , and are , , and , respectively, where . The initial
temperatures gases , , and are , , and , respectively, where . Both barriers are
removed at the same time and the gases mix. Which of the following statements about the average kinetic energy of
the gas atoms after the barriers are removed must be true?
(A) The average kinetic energy of Gas atoms will increase.
(B) The average kinetic energy of Gas atoms will not change.
(C) The average kinetic energy of Gas atoms will increase.
(D) The average kinetic energy of Gas atoms will not change.

8. Material is placed in thermal contact with Material . Initially, Material has a greater temperature than
Material . Which of the following statements best predicts the energy transfer as a result of collisions between
atoms of Material and atoms of Material ?
(A) It is more likely that energy will transfer from Material atoms to Material atoms.
(B) It is more likely that energy will transfer from Material atoms to Material atoms.
(C) It is equally likely that energy will transfer from Material atoms to Material atoms.
(D) No energy will transfer between Material atoms and Material atoms.

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9.

A cylindrical container has a thermally conductive barrier that separates the container into two sections, and ,
as shown. The container is thermally isolated from its surroundings. Each section contains an ideal gas. Initially at
time , the gas in Section has gas atoms with average kinetic energy and the gas in Section has gas
atoms with average kinetic energy . A long time later at time , the gases are in thermal equilibrium with each
other. Which of the following correctly compares the temperatures and of the gases in sections and ,
respectively, at the times and ?

At time At time
A
B
C
D

(A) A
(B) B
(C) C
(D) D

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1.

A monatomic ideal gas is initially in State at a pressure of and volume . The gas goes through the
thermodynamic process shown in the diagram until it is in State with a pressure of and volume .
Which of the following is equal to the energy transferred to the gas through heating during this process?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

2.

An ideal monatomic gas goes through an isobaric thermodynamic process from State to State , as shown in the
diagram. Which of the following is equal to the energy transferred to the gas through heating during this
process?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

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3. Two identical containers hold identical samples of an ideal gas in the same initial state. In Process , an amount of
energy is transferred to one of the containers through heating during an isothermal expansion. In Process , the
same amount of energy is transferred to the other container during an isovolumetric heating process. Which of
the following correctly compares and , the change in internal energy for processes and , respectively?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

4.

An ideal gas in a container with a moveable piston can be taken through the two different thermodynamic processes
shown in the diagram. Process is an isothermal expansion and Process is an adiabatic expansion. Which of
the following correctly indicates which process would cause a greater change in the absolute value of the internal
energy of the gas, and provides a valid justification?
(A) Process , because the absolute value of the work done on the gas is greater for Process than for Process
(B) Process , because energy is transferred to the gas by heating in Process but not in Process
(C) Process , because the absolute value of the work done on the gas is greater for Process than for Process
(D) Process , because negative work is done on the gas and no energy is transferred to the gas by heating

5. A rigid, thermally-conductive container is filled with two moles of a monatomic ideal gas and sealed. The gas
initially has temperature and pressure . The container is placed in a warm water bath until the temperature of
the gas has increased to . Which of the following is equal to the change in internal energy of the gas?

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(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

6.

An ideal gas is in a container with a moveable piston and goes through thermodynamic cycle ,
as shown in the diagram. Which of the following correctly indicates whether the total energy transferred to
the gas by heating is zero or positive, and provides a valid justification?
(A) Zero, because the gas starts and ends at the same pressure and volume
(B) Zero, because the total work done on the gas during the cycle is zero
(C) Positive, because the total work done on the gas during the cycle is negative
(D) Positive, because the internal energy of the gas is higher at the end of the cycle than at the beginning

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7.

This diagram shows the thermodynamic cycle . The dashed lines are isotherms. Each
process in the cycle is described as follows.

A. State to State - Isothermal expansion of the gas

B. State to State - Isovolumetric cooling of the gas

C. State to State - Isothermal compression of the gas

D. State to State - Isovolumetric heating of the gas

Which two processes in the cycle correspond to the same absolute value of the change in internal energy of the gas,
?
(A) and
(B) and
(C) and
(D) and

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8.

An ideal gas is sealed in a container with a moveable piston and is taken through the isothermal process from State
to State , as shown in the diagram. Which of the following correctly indicates whether the work done on
the gas is positive or negative during the process, and provides a valid justification?
(A) Negative, because the gas expands
(B) Negative, because the pressure decreases
(C) Positive, because the gas expands
(D) Positive, because the pressure decreases

9.

An ideal gas can be taken from State to State by thermodynamic processes and , as shown in the
diagrams. Process is an isothermal compression, and Process consists of an isobaric compression and an
isovolumetric process. Which of the following best compares the work done on the gas in Process to the work
done on the gas in Process ?

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(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

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1.

Two metal plates, and , have equal masses and are at temperatures and , respectively, when they are
placed in thermal contact. Plate has a specific heat that is twice that of Plate . The temperature of each metal is
recorded over time, and the temperatures of the plates are plotted in the graph as functions of time until the plates
reach thermal equilibrium at time at a temperature of . Which of the following statements is supported by
the graph?
(A) The two-plate system is isolated from the surroundings.
(B) More thermal energy is transferred into Plate than is transferred out of Plate .
(C) More thermal energy is transferred out of Plate than is transferred into Plate .
(D) There is a net transfer of energy into the two-plate system.

2. In an experiment, a student finds that of thermal energy is needed to raise the temperature of of a
substance from to . Which of the following is approximately equal to the thermal energy required to
change the temperature of of the substance from to ?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

3. The temperature of Block of mass increases by an amount when thermal energy is transferred to the
block. The temperature of Block , also of mass , increases by an amount when thermal energy is
transferred to the block. Which of the following is equal to the ratio , where and are the specific heats
of Block and Block , respectively?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

4. The thermal energy required to bring a volume of water from room temperature to its boiling point is . How
much energy would be required to bring a volume of water from room temperature to its boiling point?

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(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

5. A steel sphere initially has a temperature of . The specific heat of steel is .

The sphere is submerged in a container that holds of water initially at a temperature of . The specific
heat of water is . Which of the following is approximately equal to the final temperature of
the water and sphere after they reach thermodynamic equilibrium, assuming they are thermally isolated from the
surroundings?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

6.

A cylindrical metal rod of length and diameter connects a hot reservoir to a cold reservoir, as shown
in the diagram. The rod has a thermal conductivity of and a specific heat of . The
hot reservoir is held at a constant temperature of and the cold reservoir is held at a constant temperature of
. Which of the following is approximately equal to the time required to transfer of thermal energy from
the hot reservoir to the cold reservoir?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

7. A student has several rods made of the same material and with the same cross-sectional area, but different lengths.
In each trial of an experiment, the student places the ends of a rod in thermal contact with hot and cold water baths
that are held at constant temperatures. The student determines the rate of thermal energy transfer for each rod
and measures the length of the rod. Which of the following graphs best represents the expected result when the
student plots as a function of the length of the rods?

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(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

8. A metal pot is filled with room-temperature water and is then set on a stove. The stove is turned on and the surface
in contact with the bottom of the pot is quickly heated to a very high temperature. Which of the following depicts a
situation that would increase the time it takes for the water to reach its boiling point?

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(A) Increasing the surface area that the pot is in contact with the hot part of the stove
(B) Using a pot that is made from a material with a higher thermal conductivity
(C) Using a pot that has a thicker bottom section
(D) Using water that is already at a temperature much higher than room temperature

9.

In an experiment, a cylindrical rod is held with its ends in thermal contact with hot and cold reservoirs. The
difference in temperature between the ends of the rods is varied, and the rate of energy transfer is
measured. The results are represented in the graph of as a function of , with a best-fit line drawn to the data
points. In a second experiment, the rod is cut in half and the same procedure is performed. Which of the following
correctly predicts how the graph of as a function of would compare to the graph for the first experiment?
(A) The slope of the best fit line would be greater.
(B) All of the data points would be shifted up by the same amount.
(C) The slope of the best fit line would be less.
(D) All of the data points would be shifted down by the same amount.

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1. A closed system consists of two identical metal blocks at different temperatures. Initially, one block has a
temperature twice that of the other. The blocks are placed in thermal contact and isolated from their surroundings. A
student claims that the entropy of the isolated system increases over time. Is the student’s claim correct? Why or
why not?
(A) Yes, because the process of reaching thermal equilibrium is irreversible.
(B) Yes, because the two blocks will continue to cool after reaching thermal equilibrium.
(C) No, because in a closed system the entropy remains constant.
(D) No, because the system moves toward a more orderly state of uniform temperature

2. A cold metal sphere is placed inside a box with room-temperature air. The box and sphere are then isolated from
their surroundings. Over time, condensation begins to form on the metal sphere as water vapor in the air becomes
liquid water droplets on the surface of the sphere. This causes the entropy of the water molecules inside the box to
decrease. Which of the following correctly indicates whether the entropy of the entire system consisting of the air
and the sphere increases or decreases, and provides a valid justification?
(A) Increases, because the total energy of the system increases
Increases, because the overall increase in the entropy of the metal sphere is greater in magnitude than the
(B)
decrease in entropy of the water molecules
(C) Decreases, because the total energy of the system decreases
Decreases, because the overall increase in the entropy of the metal sphere is less in magnitude than the
(D)
decrease in entropy of the water molecules

3. A solid substance is isolated from the surroundings. Energy is then added to the system during a heating process,
increasing its temperature just until the substance begins to melt. Which of the following choices correctly compares
the entropy of the substance as a solid to the entropy of the substance as it begins melting at the same temperature?
(A) The entropy stays the same.
(B) The entropy as a solid is greater than the entropy as the substance melts.
(C) The entropy as the substance melts is greater than the entropy as a solid.
(D) The entropy of the system decreases until the system reaches equilibrium.

4. A partially inflated bicycle tire is left outside in cold weather. The tire is then brought inside a classroom and warm
air is added to the tire. The mixed air in the tire eventually reaches thermal equilibrium. During which of the
following times is the entropy of all the air in the bicycle tire at a maximum value?
(A) When there is only cold air in the tire
(B) When the warm air is added to the tire before thermal equilibrium is reached
(C) While the warm air and cold air are exchanging energy
(D) When the original cold air and added warm air in the tire reach thermal equilibrium

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5.

A system consists of two gases in separate containers isolated from their surroundings, as shown. The gas on the left
side of the container has a temperature and the gas on the right side of the container has a greater temperature
. The gases are initially separated by an insulating barrier. The barrier between the gases is then removed and the
system is allowed to reach thermal equilibrium. Which of the following correctly compares the initial entropy of the
system to the final entropy of the system?
(A) Initial entropy Final entropy
(B) Initial entropy Final entropy
(C) Initial entropy Final entropy
(D) The comparison cannot be made without knowing the values of the initial temperatures of the gases.

6. A metal rod is briefly brought near two candles so that the ends of the rod are hotter than the middle of the rod. The
rod is then thermally isolated from its surroundings. Which of the following correctly indicates how the entropy of
the rod changes after it is thermally isolated, and provides a valid justification?
The entropy stays the same, because the rod is thermally isolated and no energy can transfer to the
(A)
surroundings
(B) The entropy stays the same, because the average temperature of the rod will not change
(C) The entropy increases, because the average temperature of the rod will continue to increase
(D) The entropy increases, because the thermal energy in the rod becomes less localized and more spread out

7. An ice cube is placed on a table in a warm room. As the ice cube melts, how does the entropy of the water in the ice
cube and the entropy of the entire system of the ice cube and its surroundings change?

Entropy of the Water Entropy of the Entire System

A Stays the same Decreases
B Stays the same Increases
C Increases Decreases
D Increases Increases

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(A) A
(B) B
(C) C
(D) D

8. An ideal gas is a sealed container is initially in state with pressure and volume . It can be taken to State ,
with pressure and volume , through the following three possible processes:

Process : Isothermal expansion

Process : Isovolumetric cooling followed by isobaric expansion

Process : Isobaric expansion followed by isovolumetric cooling

Which of the following indicates the process, if any, that would change the entropy of the gas by the greatest
amount?
(A) Process
(B) Process
(C) Process
(D) None of the process. All three processes will cause the same change in entropy

9.

Two closed containers, and , each contain a sample of an ideal gas and are brought into thermal contact, as
shown, and the system is isolated from the surroundings. Container is initially at a higher temperature than
Container . Which of the following is a correct claim about the two-container system after the two containers are
brought into thermal contact?
(A) The two containers reach thermal equilibrium at the same entropy state as when they first came into contact.
(B) The two containers reach thermal equilibrium with the system at lower entropy.
(C) The two containers reach thermal equilibrium with the system at higher entropy.
(D) The two containers cannot reach thermal equilibrium because the system is closed to the environment.

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