Thermodynamics Questions and Answers – Basic

Concepts
This set of Thermodynamics Multiple Choice Questions & Answers
(MCQs) focuses on “Basic Concepts”.

1. One kg of diatomic Oxygen is present in a 500 L tank. Find the specific

volume on both mass and mole basis.
a) 0.6 m3/kg , 0.260 m3/mole
b) 0.5 m3/kg , 0.0160 m3/mole
c) 0.56 m3/kg , 0.0215 m3/mole
d) 0.7 m3/kg , 0.0325 m3/mole1

Answer:-b
Explanation: The specific volume on mass basis= 0.5/1 = 0.5 m3/kg
specific volume on mole basis= 0.5/(1/0.032) = 0.0160 m3/mole.

2. A piston/cylinder with a cross-sectional area of 0.01 m^2 is resting on the

stops. With an outside pressure of 100 kPa , what should be the water pressure
to lift the piston?
a) 178kPa
b) 188kPa
c) 198kPa
d) 208kPa

Answer: c
Explanation: Pw = Po + mg/A = 100000 + (100*9.8/0.01) = 198kPa.

3. A large exhaust fan in a lab room keeps the pressure inside at 10 cm water
relative vacuum to the hallway? What is the net force acting on the door
measuring 1.9 m by 1.1 m?
a) 2020 N
b) 2030 N
c) 2040 N
d) 2050 N
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: Net force acting on the door = Gauge pressure*area
= 0.1cm water*1.9*1.1 = 2050 N.
4. A 5 m long vertical tube having cross sectional area 200 cm^2 is placed in a
water. It is filled with 15°C water, with the bottom closed and the top open to
100 kPa atmosphere. How much water is present in tube?
a) 99.9 kg
b) 109.9 kg
c) 89.9 kg
d) 79.9 kg
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: m = ρ V = V/v = AH/v
= 200 × 10^(−4) × 5/0.001001 = 99.9 kg.
5. A 5 m long vertical tube having cross sectional area 200 cm2 is placed in a
water. It is filled with 15°C water, with the bottom closed and the top open to
100 kPa atmosphere. What is the pressure at the bottom of tube ?
a) 119 kPa
b) 129 kPa
c) 139 kPa
d) 149 kPa
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: ∆P = ρ gH = gH/v = 9.80665 × 5/0.001001
= 48.98 kPa
P(total) = P(top) + ∆P = 149 kPa.
6. Find the pressure of water at 200°C and having specific volume of 1.5 m3/kg.
a) 0.9578 m3/kg
b) 0.8578 m3/kg
c) 0.7578 m3/kg
d) 0.6578 m3/kg
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The state is superheated vapour between 100 and 150 kPa.
v = 1.3136 + (0.8689 – 1.3136)(140 − 100)/(150 – 100)
= 1.3136 + ( − 0.4447) × 0.8 = 0.9578 m3/kg.
7. Find the pressure of water at 200°C and having specific volume of 1.5 m^3/kg.
a) 141.6 kPa
b) 111.6 kPa
c) 121.6 kPa
d) 161.6 kPa
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: v > vg so that it is superheated vapour.
Between 100 kPa and 200 kPa,
P = 100 + (200 – 100)(1.5 − 2.17226)/(1.08034 − 2.17226)
= 161.6 kPa.
8. A 5m^3 container is filled with 840 kg of granite (density is 2400 kg/m^3) and
the rest of the volume is air (density is 1.15 kg/m^3). Find the mass of air present
in the container.
a) 9.3475 kg
b) 8.3475 kg
c) 6.3475 kg
d) 5.3475 kg
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Mass of the air (mair) = ρairVair = ρair (Vtotal – Vgranite)
= ρair (Vtotal – (m/ρ)granite) = 1.15*(5 – 840/2400) = 5.3475 kg.
9. A 100 m tall building receives superheated steam at 200 kPa at ground and
leaves saturated vapour from the top at 125 kPa by losing 110 kJ/kg of heat.
What should be the minimum inlet temperature at the ground of the building so
that no steam will condense inside the pipe at steady state?
a) 363.54°C
b) 263.54°C
c) 163.54°C
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: FLOT for steam flow results: q + h(ground) = h(top) + gZtop.
h(top) = hg@125 kPa = 2685.35 kJ/kg
H(ground) = 2685.35 + (9.80665*100)/1000 – (–110) = 2796.33 kJ/kg
Minimum temperature at the ground of the building T(ground)
= 163.54°C.
10. The pressure gauge on an air tank shows 60 kPa when the diver is 8 m down
in the ocean. At what depth will the gauge pressure be zero?
a) 34.118 m
b) 24.118 m
c) 14.118 m
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Pressure at 10 m depth = Patm + ρgh = 101.325 +
1000*9.80665*8/1000 = 179.778 kPa
Absolute pressure of the air in the tank = 179.778 + 60 = 239.778 kPa
Depth at which gauge pressure is zero (H) = (239.778 –
101.325)*1000/(1000*9.80665) = 14.118 m.
11. A piston-cylinder device initially contains air at 150 kPa and 27°C. At this
state, the volume is 400 litre. The mass of the piston is such that a 350 kPa
pressure is required to move it. The air is now heated until its volume has
doubled. Determine the final temperature.
a) 1400 K
b) 400 K
c) 500 K
d) 1500 K
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Final temperature (T3)= 1400 K.–> P1V1/T1=P3V3/T3.
12. A piston-cylinder device initially contains air at 150 kPa and 27°C. At this
state, the volume is 400 litre. The mass of the piston is such that a 350 kPa
pressure is required to move it. The air is now heated until its volume has
doubled. Determine work done by the air.
a) 120 kJ
b) 130 kJ
c) 100 kJ
d) 140 kJ
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Work done = P3(V3- V1) = 140 kJ.
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13. Find the change in u for carbon dioxide between 600 K and 1200 K for a
constant Cv0 value.
a) 291.8 kJ/kg
b) 391.8 kJ/kg
c) 491.8 kJ/kg
d) 591.8 kJ/kg
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Δu = Cv0 ΔT = 0.653 ×(1200–600) = 391.8 kJ/kg.
14. Calculate the change in enthalpy of carbon dioxide from 30 to 1500°C at 100
kPa at constant specific heat.
a) 2237.7 kJ/kg
b) 1637.7 kJ/kg
c) 1237.7 kJ/kg
d) 2337.7 kJ/kg
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Δh = CpΔT = 0.842 (1500 – 30) = 1237.7 kJ/kg.
15. A sealed rigid vessel has volume of 1 m3 and contains 2 kg of water at 100°C.
The vessel is now heated. If a safety pressure valve is installed, at what
pressure should the valve be set to have a maximum temperature of 200°C ?
a) 431.3 kPa
b) 531.3 kPa
c) 631.3 kPa
d) 731.3 kPa
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Initial specific volume (v1) = 1 m3/2 kg = 0.5 m3/kg
Interpolating, pressure for the same specific volume at 200°C
= 400 + {(0.53422-0.5)/(0.53422-0.42492)}*(500-400) = 431.3 kPa.
16. A system undergoing change in state from A to B along path ‘X’ receives 100
J heat and does 40 J work. It returns to state A from B along path ‘Y’ with work
input of 30 J. Calculate the heat transfer involved along the path ‘Y’.
a) – 60 J
b) 60 J
c) – 90 J
d) 90 J
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: ∆UX = AQB – AWB = 100 – 40 = 60 J
Heat transfer involved along the ‘Y’ (BQA) = ∆UY + BWA = – ∆UX + BWA
= – 60 – 30 = – 90 J.

Thermodynamics Questions and Answers – Temperature

Basics
This set of Thermodynamics Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses
on “Temperature Basics”.

1. When a body A is in thermal equilibrium with a body B, and also separately with a
body C, then B and C will be in thermal equilibrium with each other.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Zeroth law of thermodynamics.
2. Which of the following were used as fixed points before 1954?
a) The ice point
b) The steam point
c) All of the mentioned
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Both of these were used.
3. What is the standard fixed point of thermometry?
a) The ice point
b) The steam point
c) The triple point of water
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: After 1954, only one fixed point has been used.
4. All gases and vapours approach ideal gas behaviour at?
a) High pressure and high density
b) Low pressure and low density
c) High pressure and low density
d) Low pressure and high density
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Comes from ideal gas equation of state.
5. The value of ratio of the steam point temperature to the ice point temperature is?
a) 1.466
b) 1.266
c) 1.166
d) 1.366
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: This value is a universal constant.
6. Celsius temperature of the triple point of water is ( in degree Celsius)?
a) -0.00
b) 0.00
c) 0.01
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Zero point of degree Celsius is shifted.
7. Which of the following is chosen as the standard thermometric substance?
a) Gas
b) Liquid
c) Solid
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Smallest variation is observed among different gas thermometers.
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8. A real gas behaves as an ideal gas when?

a) Temperature approaches zero
b) Pressure approaches zero
c) Both temperature and pressure approaches zero
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: It is a property of gas.
9. The temperature interval from the oxygen point to the gold point is divided into
how many parts?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 1
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Taken as international temperature scale.
10. Optical method is adopted for measuring temperatures higher than the gold
point?
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Temperature is determined with the help of Planck’s law of thermal radiation.

Thermodynamics Questions and Answers – Work

Transfer
This set of Thermodynamics Multiple Choice Questions &
Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Work Transfer”.
1. The magnitude of mechanical work is the
a) product of the force and distance travelled perpendicular to
the force
b) product of the force and distance travelled parallel to the
force
c) sum of the force and distance travelled perpendicular to the
force
d) sum of the force and distance travelled parallel to the force
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: The work is done by a force as it acts upon a body moving in the
direction of the force.

2. Work done by a system is taken to be

a) positive
b) negative
c) zero
d) varies according to situation
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: In thermodynamics, work done by a system is take to be
positive.

3. Work done on a system is taken to be

a) positive
b) negative
c) zero
d) varies according to situation
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: In thermodynamics, work done on a system is take to be
negative.

4. Work is a
a) point function
b) path function
c) depends on the state
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Amount of work done depends on the path the system follows.
5. Thermodynamic properties are
a) point function
b) path function
c) depends on the state
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: For a given state there is a definite value for each property.

6. The differentials of point functions are

a) perfect differentials
b) exact differentials
c) all of the mentioned
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Change in thermodynamic property is independent of path and
depends only on initial and final states of the system.

7. In the equation dV=(1/p)dW, (1/p) is known as

a) volume factor
b) pressure factor
c) differential factor
d) integration factor
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: Used to convert inexact differential dW into exact differential
dV.

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8. Cyclic integral of a property is always

a) zero
b) one
c) infinite value
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: The initial and final states of the system for a cyclic process are
the same.

9. Constant pressure process is also known as

a) isopiestic process
b) isobaric process
c) all of the mentioned
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Isobaric and isopiestic means pressure being constant.

10. Work done in a quasi-static process

a) depends on the path followed
b) independent of the path followed
c) depends only on the initial and final states
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: This is because work done is a path function.

Thermodynamics Questions and Answers – Displacement

Work and Indicator Diagram
This set of Thermodynamics Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses
on “Displacement Work and Indicator Diagram”.

1. Macroscopic properties p and V are significant only for

a) equilibrium states
b) non-equilibrium states
c) depends on the state
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: This is true for at any intermediate point in the travel of piston.
2. In a cylinder, infinitesimal amount of work done by the gas on piston is given by
a) F*dl
b) p*a*dl
c) p*dV
d) all of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: F=p*a and work equals force multiplied by displacement.
3. For a constant pressure process, work done is
a) zero
b) p*(V2-V1)
c) p1*V1*ln(V2/V1)
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Work done in a process is given by the area under p-dV graph.
4. For a constant volume process, work done is
a) zero
b) p*(V2-V1)
c) p1*V1*ln(V2/V1)
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Work done in a process is zero since volume remains constant.
5. For a process in which pV=C, work done is
a) zero
b) p*(V2-V1)
c) p1*V1*ln(V2/V1)
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Work done is given by integral of (p*dV) from V1 to V2.
6. The area of the indicator diagram represents the magnitude of the
a) net heat transfer by the system
b) net work done on the system
c) net work done by the system
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: It is the work done in one engine cycle.
7. For Pm=(Ad/Ld)*K, which of the following is true?
a) Pm=mean effective pressure
b) Ad and Ld are area of diagram and length of diagram respectively
c) K id the indicator spring constant
d) all of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: This formula comes from the indicator diagram.
8. For a two-stroke engine, work done in one minute is given by
a) PmALN
b) PmALN/2
c) 2PmALN
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: In a two-stroke cycle, the engine cycle is completed in two strokes of the piston.
9. The power available at crankshaft is always _____ indicated power.
a) more
b) less
c) equal
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Due to friction.
10. Mechanical efficiency of engine is given by
a) IP/BP
b) 1/(BP*IP)
c) (BP*IP)
d) BP/IP
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: Brake power is less than indicated power and mechanical efficiency is given by
BP/IP.
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11. An engine is said to be double-acting, if the working fluid is made to work on both
sides of the piston.
a) true
b) false
View Answer