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Chapter 11 of 30
Important Questions

Thermodynamics

NIOS · Class 12 · Physics

Most important questions from Thermodynamics for NIOS Class 12 Physics board exam 2026. MCQs, short answer, and long answer questions with marks.

44 questions30 flashcards5 concepts

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A pressure-temperature (P-T) phase diagram for water, showing the solid, liquid, and gas regions, the triple point, and critical point.
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44 Questions·
multiple choicemultiple correct

Sample Questions

1multiple choice
1 marks

In an adiabatic process, a gas is compressed. Which of the following correctly describes what happens?

Show answer

Temperature increases, internal energy increases.

Step 1: In an adiabatic process, ΔQ = 0 (no heat exchange). Step 2: Applying the first law: ΔU = ΔQ − ΔW = 0 − ΔW. Step 3: During compression, work is done ON the gas, so ΔW is negative (work done BY the gas is negative). Therefore ΔU = −(negative value) = positive. Step 4: Since internal energy increases, the temperature of the gas also increases. The compression squeezes molecules together, increasing their kinetic energy. Why other options are wrong: Option A describes adiabatic expansion; Option C is for isothermal process; Option D contradicts the relationship between internal energy and

2multiple choice
1 marks

A Carnot engine has the same efficiency between temperatures 800 K and 400 K as between temperature T K and 800 K. What is the value of T?

Show answer

1600 K

Step 1: Efficiency between 800 K and 400 K: η₁ = 1 − (400/800) = 1 − 0.5 = 0.5. Step 2: For the second case (source T, sink 800 K): η₂ = 1 − (800/T). Step 3: Set η₁ = η₂: 0.5 = 1 − (800/T). Step 4: 800/T = 0.5, so T = 800/0.5 = 1600 K. Why other options are wrong: 400 K is the sink temperature in the first case; 1200 K would give η = 1 − 800/1200 = 0.33 ≠ 0.5; 200 K would be lower than the sink, which is physically meaningless for a source.

3multiple choice
1 marks

During an isochoric (constant volume) thermodynamic process, a gas is heated by supplying 800 J of heat. What is the work done by the gas?

Show answer

0 J

Step 1: In an isochoric process, volume remains constant (ΔV = 0). Step 2: Work done by a gas is given by ΔW = P·ΔV. Step 3: Since ΔV = 0, ΔW = P × 0 = 0 J. Step 4: All the heat supplied goes entirely into increasing the internal energy: ΔU = ΔQ = 800 J. Why other options are wrong: 800 J would be the work done if all heat were converted to work (impossible here since ΔV = 0); 400 J and −800 J have no physical basis for this constant-volume scenario.

4multiple choice
1 marks

The P-V indicator diagram of a thermodynamic process shows a closed loop. What does the area enclosed by this loop represent?

Show answer

The net work done by the system in one complete cycle

Step 1: In a P-V diagram, the area of a small strip = P·ΔV = work done for a small volume change. Step 2: Integrating over the entire path, the area under a curve from V₁ to V₂ gives total work done. Step 3: For a closed loop (cyclic process), the area enclosed = net work done in the complete cycle = W_expansion − W_compression. Step 4: Also, for a cyclic process, ΔU = 0, so net heat = net work (ΔQ = ΔW). Why other options are wrong: Total heat absorbed is not directly given by the loop area; ΔU = 0 for a cyclic process so option C is zero; heat rejected is only part of the energy exchange, no

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Thermodynamics for NIOS Class 12 Physics?
Key topics in Thermodynamics include Solving a Numerical Problem — Systematic Approach, Mind map showing the major branches and concepts covered in the Thermodynamics chapter, Flowchart showing the direction of heat flow from hot body to cold body until thermal equilibrium is reached. These are the concepts NIOS Class 12 examiners draw on most — study them first, then practise related questions.
How to score full marks in Thermodynamics — NIOS Class 12 Physics?
Understand the core concepts first, then work through the 44 practice questions available for this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly, and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.
How many important questions are there in Thermodynamics?
There are 44 practice questions available for Thermodynamics. These cover multiple question types including MCQs, short answer, and long answer questions.

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