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The kilogram is more frequently used at macro level (in our daily life
calculations) to measure the amount of substance while the mole is used at
microscopic level (for making atomic calculations) to measure the amount of
substance because one mole of any substance contains equal number of atoms,
molecules, radicals, ions etc.
Question 1.4:- Three students measured the length of a needle with a scale
on which minimum division is 1 mm and recorded as (i) 0.2145 m (ii) 0.21
m (iii) 0.214 m. W hich record is correct and why?
Answer:- The minimum division on a scale is called its least count. The least
count of the given scale is 1 mm = 0.001 m which indicates that the scale can
measure correct length up to three decimal points in standard unit “meter”.
Therefore, the correct reading is 0.214 m.
Question 1.5:- An old saying is that “A chain is only as strong as its weakest
link”. W hat analogous statement can you make regarding experimental data
used in a computation?
Answer:- Analogous statements regarding experimental data used in
computations are given as:-
i. A reading will be more precise if it has less absolute
error.
ii. A reading will be more accurate if it has less percentage
error.
Question 1.6:- The period of a simple pendulum is measured by a stop
watch. W hat type of errors are possible in the time period?
Answer:- The possible errors in the time period of a simple pendulum are due
to:-
i. Zero error of the stop watch.
ii. Parallax error in the reading of the stop watch.
iii. Air resistance.
iv. Very large amplitude of simple pendulum.
v. Unknown reasons (Random error).
iv. Poor calibration or incorrect marking of the stop watch
scale (Systematic error).
P= ρ=
[P] = , [ρ] = ,
Question 1.9:- The wavelength of a wave depends on the speed v of the wave
and its frequency f. Knowing that [λ] = [L], [v] = [L T -1] and [f] = [T-1], Decide
which of the following relation is correct, f = v λ or f = .
of homogeneity as under:-
f=vλ f=
[f] = [T-1] [f] = [T-1]
[v] [λ] = [L T-1] [L] = [L 2 T-1]
= = [T-1]
So L.H.S. ≠ R.H.S.
ii) When a vector lies in second or forth quadrant, both of its rectangular
components will have opposite signs.
Question 2.4:- If one of the rectangular components of a vector is not zero,
can its magnitude be zero? Explain.
Answer:- No, if one of the rectangular component of a vector is not zero, its
magnitude is not zero. For a vector lying in xy plane, there are two cases:-
1) If Ax = 0 and Ay ≠ 0 then A = √ = √ = Ay ≠ 0.
2) If Ax ≠ 0 and Ay = 0 then A = √ = √ = Ax ≠ 0.
Question 2.5:- Can a vector have component greater than the vector’s
magnitude?
Answer:- No, a vector cannot have components greater than the vector’s
magnitude. For a vector ⃗⃗⃗ lying in xy plane:-
Ax = A cos θ Ay = A sin θ
|Ax | = |A cos θ| = |A| |cos θ| |Ay| = |A sin θ| = |A| |sin θ|
We know that |cos θ| ≤ 1 We know that |sin θ| ≤ 1
So |Ax | = |A| |cos θ| ≤ |A| So |Ay| = |A| |sin θ| ≤ |A|
It is clear that magnitude of components of a vector is always less than or equal
to a vector’s magnitude and cannot be greater than vector’s magnitude.
Question 2.6:- Can the magnitude of a vector have negative value?
Answer:- No, the magnitude of a vector can never be negative. Magnitude of a
vector is either zero or positive. The magnitude of a vector in xy-plane is given as
Question 2.17:- If all the components of the vectors, ⃗⃗⃗⃗ and ⃗⃗⃗⃗ were
reversed, how would this alter ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ?
Answer:- If all the components of the vectors A 1 and A2 are reversed, there would
be no effect on ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗
̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂
⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗ = = (-1)(-1) = = ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗
Question 2.18:- Name the three different conditions that could make ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗
=⃗.
Answer:- We know that ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗ = (A1 A2 sin θ) ̂. The three different conditions
Question 2.21:- Can a body rotate about its centre of gravity under the
action of its weight?
Answer:- No, a body cannot rotate about its centre of gravity under the action of
its weight because torque is zero. The moment arm in this case is zero as the line
of action of force (weight) passes through the pivot point (centre of gravity).
We know that torque = (moment arm) (force) = (zero) (mg) = zero.
during its downward journey. Hence, both balls will hit the ground with same
velocity.
Question 3.6:- Explain the circumstances in which velocity v and
acceleration a of a car are (i) Parallel (ii) Anti-parallel (iii) Perpendicular to
each other (iv) v is zero but a is not zero (v) a is zero but v is not zero.
Answer:- (i) When velocity of a car increases, acceleration is positive and both
are parallel.
(ii) When velocity of a car decreases, acceleration is negative and both are Anti-
parallel.
(iii) When a car is moving along a circular track, acceleration and velocity are
perpendicular to each other.
(iv) When a car stops suddenly, v is zero but a is not zero (negative).
(v) When car is moving with uniform velocity, a is zero but v is not zero.
Question 3.7:- M otion with constant velocity is a special case of motion
with constant acceleration. Is this statement true? Discuss.
Answer:- Yes, the statement is true. When an object performs projectile motion,
its horizontal velocity and total acceleration remain constant throughout its
trajectory.
(Discussion:- It has been pointed out in several notes that when an object moves
with uniform velocity, its acceleration is zero and zero is a constant quantity.
Actually, this is not a special case, this is just a general case. Special case is
when some phenomenon takes place at a certain time or certain location only.)
Question 3.8:- Find the change in momentum for an object subjected to a
given force for a given interval of time and state law of motion in terms of
momentum.
Answer:- Suppose an object is moving at a certain velocity vi at time t1 = 0. It is
subjected to a force F and after an interval t2 = t, its velocity becomes vf .
⃗ ⃗⃗⃗
We know that . Further,
⃗ ⃗⃗⃗
Equating both equations, = , m( ⃗⃗⃗ = Change in momentum =
Force x Time
⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗
Further, m ,
The rate of change of momentum with respect to time is equal to the applied
force. This is statement of Newton’s second law of motion in terms of momentum.
Question 3.9:- Define impulse and show that how it is related to linear
momentum.
Answer:- When a large force acts on an object for a very short interval of time,
the product of force and time is called impulse. Mathematically, Impulse = Force
x Time = .
We can define force as time rate of change of momentum and mathematically
write it as:-
⃗⃗⃗⃗ – ⃗⃗⃗
.
⃗⃗⃗⃗ – ⃗⃗⃗
Impulse = = m ⃗⃗⃗⃗ – m⃗⃗⃗ = Change in momentum
0 = vi sin θ t - g t2
t=
R = (vi cos θ) (
R=
Answer:- An object has 1 J potential energy, it means that it has the ability to do
a work of 1 J due to its constrained position/state in a force field such as
gravitational field, elastic field, electric field etc.
It means 1 J of work is done on the object by some external energy against
gravitational field, elasticity of an object or electric field etc.
Question 4.6:- A ball of mass m is held at a height h 1 above a table. The
table top is at a height h 2 above the floor. One students says that the ball
has potential energy mgh 1 but another says that it is mg(h1+h2 ). W ho is
correct?
Answer:- Both students are correct.
If we consider table top as reference point, the potential energy of the object will
be mgh1.
If we consider floor level as reference point, the potential energy will of the object
will be mg(h1+h2 ).
Question 4.7:- W hen a rocket re-enters the atmosphere, its nose cone
becomes very hot. W here does this heat energy come from?
Answer:- When a rocket re-enters the atmosphere at a high velocity, some part of
its kinetic energy is utilized in doing work against the air friction. The work done
against the air resistance appears as heat energy and its nose cone becomes very
hot.
Question 4.8:- W hat sort of energy is in the following: (a) Compressed spring
(b) W ater in a high dam (c) A moving car.
Answer:- Following types of energies are present:-
(a) A compressed spring has elastic potential energy due to work done against
its elasticity.
(b) Water in a high dam has gravitational potential energy due to its high
position with reference to basin of the dam.
(c) A moving car has kinetic energy due to its motion.
Question 4.9:- A girl drops a cup from a certain height, which breaks into
pieces. W hat energy changes are involved?
Answer:- A cup has gravitational P.E. at a certain height. When the cup is
dropped, the gravitational P.E. decreases and K.E. increases. Just before striking
the floor, the whole P.E. is converted into K.E. On striking the ground, K.E. is
changed into sound, heat and work done to break the cup into its pieces.
Answer:- The cross or vector product of position vector and linear momentum is
called angular momentum. Mathematically, ⃗ ⃗ . It is a similar quantity to
linear momentum and can also be expressed as product of moment of inertia and
angular velocity.
The law of conservation of angular momentum states that total angular
momentum of a system remains constant provided no external torques acts on
the system. Mathematically, I1ω1 = I2ω2.
Question 5.5:- Show that orbital angular momentum L o = mvr.
Answer:- We know that ⃗ ⃗ . Its magnitude is given by L = rP sin θ.
For circular/orbital motion, L = L o, P = mv and θ = 90o.
Lo = r(mv) sin 90o = mvr.
Question 5.6:- Describe what should be the minimum velocity, for a
satellite, to orbit close to the Earth around it.
Answer:- In order to put a satellite in an orbit close to the earth, the necessary
centripetal force is provided by gravitational force of attraction between earth and
satellite.
Fc = mg
Since r = R = Radius of earth, we can say that mv2/R = mg and v = √ =
√
v = 7.9 x 103 m s-1 = 7.9 km s-1.
This is the minimum velocity to put a satellite into orbit around the Earth.
Question 5.7:- State the directions of the following vectors in simple
situations; angular momentum and angular velocity.
Answer:- According to the relation ⃗ ⃗ , the angular momentum is directed
in a direction perpendicular to the plane containing the radius of circular path
and momentum of the object i.e. along the axis of rotation.
The direction of angular velocity is also taken along the axis of rotation for
counter clockwise rotation by using right hand rule.
Question 5.8:- Explain why an object, orbiting the Earth, is said to be freely
falling. Use your explanation to point out why objects appear weightless
under certain circumstances.
Answer:- Any object which is orbiting around the earth is accelerated towards
the centre of the earth with an acceleration equal to the acceleration due to
gravity g and is considered as freely falling object.
When any object is accelerated towards the earth, its apparent weight is T = mg –
ma.
For a freely falling object, a = g so T = mg – mg = 0.
Therefore, all freely falling objects including the satellites orbiting the earth
appear weightless.
Question 5.9:- W hen mud flies off the tyre of a moving bicycle, in what
direction does it fly? Explain.
Answer:- The mud flies off the tyres of a moving bicycle, it flies in a direction
making tangent to the tyre.
When speed of the tyre increases, the required centripetal force increases and
adhesive force between tyres and mud is not enough to keep the mud stick with
the tyre. Thus, it flies off the tyre in a direction making tangent to the tyre.
Question 5.10:- A disc and a hoop start moving down from the top of an
inclined plane at the same time. W hich one will be moving faster on
reaching the bottom?
Answer:- When a disc and hoop start moving down from top of an inclined plane
at height h,
DISC HOOP
Potential energy at top = Translational Potential energy at top = Translational
K.E. + Rotational K.E. K.E. + Rotational K.E.
mgh = m v2 + I ω2 mgh = m v2 + I ω2
The disc moves faster when reaches at bottom of the inclined plane.
Question 5.11:- W hy does a diver change his body positions before and after
diving in the pool?
Answer:- The diver obeys law of conservation of angular momentum according to
following relation I1ω1 = I2ω2.
When diver is about to jump from the diving board, his arms and legs are fully
stretched having a large moment of inertia and small angular velocity. After
jumping from the board, he closes his body in a closed tuck position reducing
moment of inertia and increasing the spinning velocity.
Shahzad Ali Nasir, Government Postgraduate College, Sahiwal (shahzadnasir87@gmail.com)
First Year Short Questions Physics
A diver changes his body position after diving in the pool in order to cover some
extra somersaults.
Question 5.12:- A student holds two dumb-bells with stretched arms while
sitting on a turn table. He is given a push until he is rotating at certain
angular velocity. The student then pulls the dumb-bells towards his chest.
W hat will be the effect on rate of rotation?
Answer:- According to the law of conservation of angular momentum, I1ω1 = I2ω2.
When arms of the students are stretched, its moment of inertia is large and
angular velocity is small.
When he pulls the dumb-bells towards his chest, his moment of inertia decreases
and hence angular velocity increases to keep the angular momentum constant.
Question 5.13:- Explain how many minimum number of geo-stationary
satellites are required for global coverage of TV transmission.
Answer:- A geo-stationary satellite covers 120 o of longitude, so the whole of the
Earth’s surface for global transmission can be covered by three correctly
positioned geo-stationary satellites i.e. 120 o x 3 = 360o.
droplets are very small in size, therefore, their terminal velocity is very small and
they appear to be suspended in air.
Question 6.4:- Explain the difference between laminar flow and turbulent
flow.
Answer:- Laminar Flow:- If every particle passes that passes a particular point,
moves exactly along the same path, as followed by the particles which passed
that points earlier, the flow is said to streamline or laminar.
Turbulent Flow:- The irregular or unsteady flow of the fluid is called turbulent
flow.
Question 6.5:- State Bernoulli’s relation for a liquid in motion and describe
some of its applications.
Answer:- The sum of pressure, kinetic energy per unit volume and potential
energy per unit volume at any point during steady flow of a non -viscous and
incompressible fluid is constant. Mathematically, P + + ρgh = Constant.
Bernoulli’s equation has very wide applications. Some of which are given as:-
i. Measurement of the speed of fluids using Venturi meter.
ii. Working principle of chimney of a kitchen is based on Bernoulli’s
equation.
iii. Swing of a cricket ball.
iv. Working of carburetor of a car engine.
v. Lift of an aeroplane.
vi. Measurement of blood pressure using Sphygmomanometer.
Question 6.6:- A person is standing near a fast moving train. Is it any
danger that he will fall towards it?
Answer:- Yes, he is in danger of falling towards the train as a consequence of
Bernoulli’s principle. When a fast moving train passes by a person standing on
platform, the streamlines of air between the person and the train becomes close
due to high speed and pressure becomes low. On the other side of the person,
streamlines are farther apart due to low speed and pressure is high. A force acts
on the person from high pressure towards low pressure i.e. he will tend to fall
towards the train.
Question 6.7:- Identify the correct answer. W hat do you infer from
Bernoulli’s theorem?
Answer:- (i) Where the speed of the fluid is high the pressure will be low.
(Correct)
(ii) Where the speed of the fluid is high the pressure is also high.
(iii) This theorem is valid only for turbulent flow of the liquid.
Question 6.8:- Two row boats moving parallel in the same direction are
pulled towards each other. Explain.
Answer:- According to Bernoulli’s theorem, where the speed of the fluid is high,
the pressure will be low. When two row boats are moving parallel to each other,
the streamlines of water between them are forces closer due to high speed and as
a result pressure decreases. The pressure of water on other sides of boats is high
due to low speed of water streamlines. Hence, boats are forced close to each other
due to this pressure difference.
Question 6.9:- Explain, how the swing is produced in a fast moving cricket
ball.
Answer:- When a bowler balls the cricket ball, the speed of streamlines of air on
one side (shinny side) becomes high and pressure decreases. On the other side
(rough side), the speed of air is low and pressure is high. Thus, a force acts on
the ball from high pressure towards low pressure and causes the ball to swing.
Question 6.10:- Explain the working of a carburetor of a motorcar using by
Bernoulli’s equation.
Answer:- The carburetor of a car engine uses a
Venturi duct to feed the correct mix of air and
petrol to the cylinders. Air is drawn trough the duct
and along a pipe to the cylinders. A tiny inlet at the
side of duct is fed with petrol. The air through the
duct moves very fast, creating low pressure in the
duct, which draws petrol vapour into the air stream.
Question 6.11:- For which position will the maximum blood pressure in the
body have the smallest value. (a) Standing up right (b) Sitting (c) Lying
horizontally (d) Standing on one’s head?
Answer:- The maximum blood pressure in the body have the smallest value when
body is lying horizontally.
Question 6.12:- In an orbiting space station, would the blood pressure in
major arteries in the leg ever be greater than the blood pressure in major
arteries in the neck?
Answer:- In an orbiting space station, blood pressure in major arteries in the leg
will be equal to blood pressure in major arteries of the neck as the situation of
weightlessness exists in orbiting space stations.
The acceleration is zero and velocity The acceleration is greatest and velocity
is greatest at mean position during is zero at extreme position during SHM.
SHM.
Question 7.10:- In relation to SHM , explain the equations; (a) y = A sin (ωt +
ϕ) (b) ⃗ = ⃗.
Answer:-
y = A sin (ωt + ϕ) ⃗ = ⃗
This equation describes the This equation describes the
instantaneous displacement of an instantaneous acceleration on an object
object performing simple harmonic performing simple harmonic motion
motion where where
y = Instantaneous displacement a = Instantaneous acceleration
A = Amplitude of oscillator ω = Angular velocity =
ϕ = Initial phase x = Instantaneous displacement
ω = Angular velocity =
ωt + ϕ = Instantaneous phase
Question 7.11:- Explain the relation between total energy, potential energy
and kinetic energy for a body oscillating with SHM .
Answer:- For an object performing simple harmonic motion, total energy is sum
of potential energy and kinetic energy i.e. E = K.E. + P.E.
Total energy remains constant in the absence of frictional effects; K.E. and P.E.
are interchanged in continuously from one form to another.
At mean position, energy is totally K.E. and P.E. is zero.
At extreme positions, energy is totally P.E. and K.E. is zero.
In between, energy is partially P.E. and partially K.E.
Question 7.12:- Describe some common phenomena in which resonance
plays an important role.
Answer:- Resonance plays an important role in following common phenomena:-
1) By tuning a radio, natural frequency of AC in the radio receives is made equal
to the frequency of desired broadcasting radio station and we can listen to
desired radio station through resonance.
2) Swings in a park are pushed after a fixed / regular interval of time and
amplitude goes on increasing gradually through resonance.
3) The EM waves produced in a microwave oven have wavelength of 12 cm at
frequency of 2450 MHz. The fat and water molecules in food absorb these EM
waves through resonance and helps in even heating & cooking of food.
Answer:- The type of wave produced in a stretched string in which some points
permanently show zero displacement is called stationary wave. The points which
show zero displacement permanently are called nodes.
Question 8.5:- Explain the terms crest, trough, node and antinode.
Answer:- Crest:- The portion of a wave or disturbance above the mean position is
called crest.
Trough:- The portion of a wave or disturbance below the mean position is called
trough.
Node:- The points which show zero amplitude permanently on a transverse
stationary wave are called node.
Antinode:- The point which vibrate with maximum amplitude on a transverse
stationary wave is called antinode.
Question 8.6:- W hy does sound travel faster in solids than in gases?
sound in any medium depends on square root of the ratio of its modulus of
elasticity and density. The ratio of modulus of elasticity and density for solids is
much greater than for the gases. Therefore, the speed of sound in solids is
greater than its speed in gases.
Question 8.7:- How are beats useful in tuning musical instruments?
Answer:- A faulty music instrument is played along with a standard source
known frequency, beats are produced which is indication that frequency of both
instrument differ from each other. The effective length of strings of faulty
instruments is adjusted by tightening or loosening the peg at the neck of the
instrument so that no beats are heard. At this moment, the faulty instrument is
considered to be tuned with standard instrument.
Question 8.8:- W hen two notes of frequencies f1 and f2 are sounded together,
beats are formed. If f1 > f2 , what will the frequency of the beats?
i) f1 + f2 ii) (f1 + f2 ) iii) f1 - f2 iv) (f1 - f2 )
any disturbance i.e. mechanical wave in a solid is greater than its speed in air.
That is why, ground tremor reaches the observer earlier than the explosion.
Question 8.10:- Explain why sound travels faster in warm air than in cold
air.
sound in air is inversely proportional to square root of density of air. The density
of warm air is much less than the density of cold air, therefore, speed of sound in
warm air is greater than its speed in cold air.
(Alternately, the speed of sound in air or a medium is directly proportional to the
This shows that fringe spacing varies inversely with the slit spacing d.
Yes, fringes can disappear. If slit spacing d is increased, fringe spacing ΔY
decreases. If we keep on increasing slit spacing, fringes will come closer and
eventually disappear.
Question 9.3:- Can visible light produce interference fringes? Explain.
Answer:- Yes, visible light or white light can produce interference but each colour
(wavelength) will produce its own interference pattern. The fringe pattern will be
coloured having spectrum of all seven colours.
Question 9.4:- In the Young’s experiment, one of the slit is covered with
blue filter and other with red filter. W hat would be the pattern of light
intensity on the screen?
Answer:- On covering the slits with blue and red filters respectively , one slit
emits red light and other emits blue light. In order to produce interference,
interfering beams must be monochromatic, unidirectional and coherent. The
emerging light beams from both slits are not monochromatic and coherent so no
interference pattern will be observed on the screen. Only two bright spots of
corresponding light will be observed on the screen.
Question 9.5:- Explain whether the Young’s experiment is an experiment for
studying interference or diffraction effects of light?
Answer:- Young’s experiment is primarily designed to study the interference of
light waves.
However, diffraction of light is also interference of light rays coming from different
parts of a source of light.
Question 9.6:- An oil film spreading over a wet footpath shows colours.
Explain how does it happen?
Answer:- An oil film spreading over a wet footpath shows colours due to
interference of visible light through thin film. When light beam is incident on oil
film, some part of it is reflected from upper surface. The remaining portion of
light refracts through the film and is reflected from lower part of the film. These
two beams interfere. Some colours show constructive interference while others
show destructive according to angle of incidence, nature and thickness of oil film.
Question 9.7:- Could you obtain Newton’s rings with transmitted light? If
yes, would the pattern be different from that obtained with reflected light?
Answer:- Yes, Newton’s rings can be obtained with transmitted light.
Yes, the pattern would be exactly opposite to that obtained with reflected light i.e.
the central spot will be bright in case of transmitted light.
Question 9.8:- In the white light spectrum obtained with a diffraction
grating, the third order image of a wavelength coincides with the fourth
order image of a second wavelength. Calculate the ratio of two wavelengths.
Answer:- For a diffraction grating, condition for n th order maxima is d sin θ = n λ.
For 3rd order spectrum of first wavelength, d sin θ = 3 λ 1
For 4th order spectrum of second wavelength, d sin θ = 4 λ 2
We can equate right hand sides of both equations as 3 λ 1 = 4 λ2
Rearranging gives =
Question 9.9:- How would you manage to get more orders of spectra using a
diffraction grating?
Answer:- We know that for a diffraction grating d sin θ = n λ.
lines on grating
In order to get more orders of spectrum, sin θ should be maximum i.e. sin θ = 1
so nmax =
We should use a grating having less number of lines per centimeter and use light
of short wavelength.
Answer:- The lens used in cheap microscope have not smooth surface and has a
defect chromatic aberration. The lens is unable to focus white light coming from
object properly at a single point and thus image formed have color edges. This is
due to dispersive effects of material used in cheap microscope.
Question 10.5:- Describe with the help of diagrams, how (a) a single
biconvex lens can be used as a magnifying glass. (b) biconvex lenses can be
arranged to form a microscope.
Answer:- (a) Biconvex lens as
magnifying glass:- The ray diagram of a
biconvex lens used as a magnifying glass
of focal length f to magnify an object of size O to image of size I is given. The
image formed is virtual, magnified and erect.
(b) Biconvex lenses can be arranged to form a microscope:- The ray diagram
of two biconvex lenses arranged to form a compound microscope is given. The
image formed is inverted, erect and magnified. However, final image can be made
the lens. Find, by ray diagram, the focal length of the lens.
Answer:- The ray diagram to the scale when a five times enlarged image is
formed at a distance of 25 cm from the lens is given. The focal length is f = 6.2
cm approximately.
Alternately, M = 1 + , Given M = 5, d = 25 cm so d = = 6.25 cm
Question 10.11:- How the power is lost in optical fibre through dispersion?
Explain.
Answer:- When source of light is not
monochromatic, its different components
are dispersed while propagating down
the core of fiber cable. The different
wavelengths λ 1, λ2 and λ3 etc. adopt
different paths across the core. The wavelength(s) which meet(s) the cladding at
greater angle than critical angle, reach earlier at other end while the wavelength
which meet the cladding at critical angle lags behind others. Hence, different
component reach the other end at different times and signal received is distorted.
after the collision with the wall, its velocity will be –vx and <vx > = = 0.
Question 11.2:- W hy does the pressure of a gas in a car tyre increase when
it is driven through some distance?
Answer:- When a car covers some distance on the road, its tyres have to
overcome the frictional effects of the road. The work done against the friction
appears as heat energy which increases the translational kinetic energy of the
gas molecules in the tyres. The rate of collision of molecules with the walls of the
tyre increases and hence pressure increases.
Question 11.3:- A system undergoes from state P 1V 1 to state P 2 V 2 as shown
in figure. W hat will the change in internal energy?
Answer:- In the system represented by given diagram, we can
verify that Boyle’s law is applicable as P 1V1 = P2V2.
Boyle’s law is valid when temperature is constant i.e.
isothermal process so no change in internal energy will take
place.
Change in internal energy = ΔU = 0.
Question 11.4:- Variation of volume by pressure is given in figure. A gas is
taken along the paths ABCDA, ABCA and A to A. W hat will be the change in
internal energy?
Answer:- In all the given systems, the system returns to its initial state which is
called a cycle. The change in internal energy will be zero in all the cases.
Question 11.5:- Specific heat of a gas at constant pressure is greater than
specific heat at constant volume. W hy?
Answer:- When a gas is heated at constant volume, no work is done on the gas
by heat energy as W = P ΔV = 0. All the heat supplied to gas is utilized in
increasing the internal energy of the gas.
When a gas is heated at constant pressure, heat is utilized in increasing the
internal energy of the gas and doing work on the system.
This indicates that for same rise in temperature, more heat is required at
constant pressure than at constant volume so molar specific heat at constant
pressure is always greater than molar specific heat at constant volume.
Question 11.6:- Give an example of a process in which no heat is transferred
to or from a system but the temperature of the system changes.
Answer:- An adiabatic process is the one in which no heat is transferred to or
from the system but temperature of the system changes. In an adiabatic process,
Q = 0.
First law of thermodynamics states that Q = W + ΔU
0 = W + ΔU
W = -ΔU.
In an adiabatic expansion, temperature of gas decreases because gas has to do
work on the basis of its internal energy.
In an adiabatic compression, temperature of gas increases because work done on
the system increases the internal energy and the temperature of the gas.
Question 11.7:- Is it possible to convert internal energy into mechanical
energy? Explain with an example.
Answer:- Yes, it is possible.
In an adiabatic expansion, volume is increased by decreasing the pressure and
work is done by the system by using its internal energy. Hence, we can say that
internal energy of the system is being converted into mechanical energy.
Question 11.8:- Is it possible to construct a heat engine that will not expel
heat into atmosphere?
Answer:- No, it is not possible as it is against the Kelvin statement of second law
of thermodynamics.
Heat engines absorb heat from heat reservoir, convert some of it into work and
reject the remaining heat into atmosphere i.e. cold reservoir. It is impossible to
devise a process which may convert all heat extracted from a reservoir entirely
into work without making any change in working system.
Question 11.9:- A thermos flask containing milk as a system is shaken
rapidly. Does the temperature of milk rise?
Answer:- A thermos flask is an insulated system. When milk in a thermos flask
is shaken rapidly, work is done on the system which is converted into mechanical
energy of the system (milk). This increases the temperature of the milk inside the
thermos flask.
Question 11.10:- W hat happens to the temperature of the room, when an
airconditioner is left running on a table in the middle of the room?
Answer:- The temperature of the room will not decrease rather it will increase.
The heat absorbed from the room is expelled in the same room plus the work
done by the compressor is also converted and expelled in the same room.
Question 11.11:- Can the mechanical energy be converted completely into
heat energy? If so give an example.
Answer:- Yes, mechanical energy can be completely converted into heat energy.
1) During an adiabatic compression, the work done (mechanical
energy) on the system increases the internal energy of the gas.
Hence work done is converted into heat energy.
2) During an isothermal compression, work done on the system
(mechanical energy) appears in the form of heat energy out of
the system as W = Q in isothermal process.
Question 11.12:- Does entropy of a system increase or decrease due to
friction?
Answer:- The entropy of the system always increases due to friction. Useful
energy is always dissipated in doing work against friction. When work is done
against friction, the change in entropy ΔS = ΔQ / T is positive and entropy
increases.
Question 11.13:- Give an example of a natural process that involves an
increase in entropy.
Answer:- Melting of ice into water is a natural process that involves increase in
entropy. When ice melts at melting temperature T, some amount of heat is