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Thermodynamics appeared 36 times across 3 years — 4.2% of Physics. This question is from Carnot Engine and Efficiency.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 11 19 6 36

A Carnot engine (E) is working between two temperatures 473K and 273K. In a new system two engines - engine E₁ works between 473K to 373K and engine E₂ works between 373K to 273K. If η₁₂ , η₁ and η₂ are the efficiencies of the engines E, E₁ and E₂ , respectively, then

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula
η = 1 - TLTH
Core Logic

Let's compute the efficiency parameters explicitly:

η₁₂ = 1 - (273)/(473) = (200)/(473) ≈ 0.423 η₁ = 1 - (373)/(473) = (100)/(473) ≈ 0.211 η₂ = 1 - (273)/(373) = (100)/(373) ≈ 0.268

Evaluating the linear sum of fractional bounds:

η₁ + η₂ = 0.211 + 0.268 = 0.479

Comparing the outputs clearly demonstrates:

η₁₂ < η₁ + η₂
Step 1: Final Conclusion

Thus, the inequality satisfies option (1).

Pattern Recognition

The joint efficiency of cascading perfect thermodynamic steps is bounded multiplicatively as (1-η₁₂) = (1-η₁)(1-η₂), which algebraically forces η₁₂ = η₁ + η₂ - η₁η₂ < η₁ + η₂.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Thermodynamics

Reference Study Guides

More Thermodynamics Previous-Year Questions — Page 5

Q jee_main_2025_03_april_morning Isothermal Expansion with Non-Linear Spring
A piston of mass M is hung from a massless spring whose restoring force law goes as F = -kx³, where k is the spring constant of appropriate dimension. The piston separates the vertical chamber into two parts, where the bottom part is filled with 'n' moles of an ideal gas. An external work is done on the gas isothermally (at a constant temperature T) with the help of a heating filament (with negligible volume) mounted in lower part of the chamber, so that the piston goes up from a height L₀ to L₁, the total energy delivered by the filament is (Assume spring to be in its natural length before heating)
Piston connected to spring with gas underneath for Q11
A schematic of a piston of mass M connected to a spring inside a vertical chamber, separating gas at the bottom from vacuum/atmosphere at the top.
  • A. 3nRTln ((L₁)/(L₀)) + 2Mg(L₁ - L₀) + (k)/(3) (L₁³ - L₀³)
  • B. nRTln ((L₁²)/(L₀²)) + (Mg)/(2) (L₁ - L₀) + (k)/(4) (L₁⁴ - L₀⁴)
  • C. nRTln ((L₁)/(L₀)) + Mg(L₁ - L₀) + (k)/(4) (L₁⁴ - L₀⁴)
  • D. nRTln ((L₁)/(L₀)) + Mg(L₁ - L₀) + (3k)/(4) (L₁⁴ - L₀⁴)

Solution

Related Formula

First Law of Thermodynamics:

Δ Q = Δ U + Wby gas

Work done by an ideal gas during isothermal expansion:

Wgas = nRTln((V₁)/(V₀)) = nRTln((L₁)/(L₀))

Conservation of Energy (Work-Energy Theorem): Total energy delivered by the heating filament (Wfilament) must equal the total work needed to lift the piston against gravity and compress the non-linear spring.

Core Logic

Since the process is isothermal, the change in internal energy of the ideal gas is zero (Δ U = 0). Hence:

Q = Wgas

By the Work-Energy Theorem for the piston:

Wgas + Wfilament = Δ Ugravity + Δ Uspring

Let's evaluate each term:

  • Increase in gravitational potential energy:
Δ Ugravity = Mg(L₁ - L₀)
  • Increase in spring potential energy:
Uspring = -∫L₀L₁ Frestoring dx = ∫L₀L₁ kx³ dx = (k)/(4)(L₁⁴ - L₀⁴)
Step 1: Finding Total Energy Delivered

Isolating Wfilament (the net external energy delivered to the gas system):

Wfilament = Wgas + Mg(L₁ - L₀) + (k)/(4)(L₁⁴ - L₀⁴)

Since Wgas = nRTln((L₁)/(L₀)):

Wfilament = nRTln((L₁)/(L₀)) + Mg(L₁ - L₀) + (k)/(4)(L₁⁴ - L₀⁴)
Pattern Recognition

Notice how energy conservation instantly frames this complex thermodynamics question. The heating filament's energy simply goes into three distinct stores: the isothermal work of gas expansion, raising the mass against gravity (Mgh), and the potential energy of the spring (integrated from kx³). Keeping this total energy ledger in mind prevents tedious mathematical tangents.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Thermodynamics: First Law Class 11 Physics: Work, Energy and Power: Variable Force Integration

Q1 jee_main_2025_03_april_morning Phase Change and Melting
During the melting of a slab of ice at 273~K at atmospheric pressure:
  • A. Internal energy of ice-water system remains unchanged.
  • B. Positive work is done by the ice-water system on the atmosphere.
  • C. Internal energy of the ice-water system decreases.
  • D. Positive work is done on the ice-water system by the atmosphere.

Solution

Related Formula
Δ U = Δ Q + Δ Won system

where, Δ U = change in internal energy, Δ Q = heat exchange, Δ Won system = work done on the system.

Core Logic

During the melting of ice at 273~K, the density of water is higher than the density of ice. This means the volume of the ice-water system decreases during melting:

Vf < Vᵢ Δ V < 0

Since the system contracts, the atmosphere performs positive work on it:

Won system = -P Δ V > 0

Additionally, heat is absorbed by the system to melt the ice, so Δ Q > 0. By the first law of thermodynamics, since both Δ Q and Δ Won system are positive, the internal energy of the system increases:

Δ U = Δ Q + Won system > 0
Step 1: Evaluation of Options

Let's check the given options:

  • Internal energy remains unchanged arrow False (it increases).
  • Positive work is done by the system arrow False (work done by the system is negative since it contracts).
  • Internal energy decreases arrow False.
  • Positive work is done on the ice-water system by the atmosphere arrow True (since volume decreases under atmospheric pressure).
Pattern Recognition

Remember: Ice contracts upon melting (unlike most solids). Shrinking volume (V) under positive pressure (P > 0) means the surroundings (atmosphere) compress it, performing positive work on the system.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Thermal Properties of Matter Class 11 Physics: Thermodynamics

Q12 jee_main_2025_03_april_morning Adiabatic Compression
A gas is kept in a container having walls which are thermally non-conducting. Initially the gas has a volume of 800~cm³ and temperature 27°C . The change in temperature when the gas is adiabatically compressed to 200~cm³ is: (Take γ = 1.5)
  • A. 327~K
  • B. 600~K
  • C. 522~K
  • D. 300~K

Solution

Related Formula

For an adiabatic process:

T Vγ - 1 = constant

where, T = absolute temperature in Kelvin, V = volume of the gas, γ = adiabatic exponent.

Core Logic

Given values:

  • Initial volume, V₁ = 800~cm³
  • Final volume, V₂ = 200~cm³
  • Initial temperature, T₁ = 27°C = 27 + 273 = 300~K
  • Adiabatic exponent, γ = 1.5 γ - 1 = 0.5
Step 1: Calculating Final Temperature

Apply the adiabatic relation:

T₁ V₁γ - 1 = T₂ V₂γ - 1 T₂ = T₁ ((V₁)/(V₂))γ - 1

Substitute the values:

T₂ = 300 ((800)/(200))0.5 = 300 × (4)0.5 T₂ = 300 × 2 = 600~K
Step 2: Calculating Change in Temperature

Now compute the change in temperature (Δ T):

Δ T = T₂ - T₁ = 600~K - 300~K = 300~K
Pattern Recognition

Always read carefully to see if the question asks for the final temperature or the change in temperature. Many students lose marks by choosing 600~K (the final temperature) instead of the difference 300~K! Stay sharp.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Thermodynamics

Q17 jee_main_2025_04_april_evening Thermodynamic Processes
Match List-I with List-II:
List-IList-II
(A) Isobaric(I) Δ Q=Δ W
(B) Isochoric(II) Δ Q=Δ U
(C) Adiabatic(III) Δ Q=zero
(D) Isothermal(IV) Δ Q=Δ U+PΔ V
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. \text{(A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(I)}
  • B. \text{(A)-(IV), (B)-(I), (C)-(III), (D)-(II)}
  • C. \text{(A)-(IV), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(I)}
  • D. \text{(A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(III), (D)-(I)}

Solution

Related Formula

First Law of Thermodynamics:

Δ Q = Δ U + Δ W
Core Logic
  • Isobaric: Pressure is constant, work done Δ W = PΔ V. Thus, Δ Q = Δ U + PΔ V (Matches IV).
  • Isochoric: Volume is constant, Δ V = 0 Δ W = 0. Thus, Δ Q = Δ U (Matches II).
  • Adiabatic: No heat transfer, Δ Q = 0 (Matches III).
  • Isothermal: Temperature is constant, internal energy change Δ U = 0 for an ideal gas. Thus, Δ Q = Δ W (Matches I).
Step 1: Match Compilation

Combining everything gives: (A)-(IV), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(I).

Pattern Recognition

Adiabatic definition is always heat-isolated (Q=0), isochoric implies rigid boundaries (W=0). Identifying these two immediately isolates the correct match permutation in seconds.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Thermodynamics

Q17 jee_main_2025_07_april_evening Thermodynamic Processes
Match List-I with List-II.
List-IList-II
(A) Isothermal(I) Δ W (work done) =0
(B) Adiabatic(II) Δ Q (supplied heat) =0
(C) Isobaric(III) Δ U (change in internal energy) ≠0
(D) Isochoric(IV) Δ U=0
Choose the correct answer from the options given below: [cite: 151, 152]
  • A. (A)-(III), (B)-(II), (C)-(I), (D)-(IV) [cite: 153]
  • B. (A)-(IV), (B)-(I), (C)-(III), (D)-(II) [cite: 154]
  • C. (A)-(IV), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(I) [cite: 155]
  • D. (A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(III) [cite: 156]

Solution

Core Logic

Let's evaluate each process condition based on the first law of thermodynamics:

  • (A) Isothermal: Continuous constant temperature (Δ T = 0) implies that the internal energy change of an ideal gas is zero, so Δ U = 0 (IV) [cite: 730].
  • (B) Adiabatic: No thermal energy transfer occurs between the system and surroundings, meaning Δ Q = 0 (II) [cite: 731].
  • (C) Isobaric: Constant pressure process where both volume and temperature typically vary, so internal energy changes continuously, Δ U ≠ 0 (III) [cite: 732].
  • (D) Isochoric: Rigid boundary condition at constant volume (Δ V = 0) ensures work done Δ W = PΔ V = 0 (I) [cite: 733].
  • Putting these together yields: (A)-(IV), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(I)[cite: 155, 729].

Pattern Recognition

Matching 'Isochoric' with zero work done (Δ W=0) or 'Adiabatic' with zero heat exchange (Δ Q=0) are fundamental definitions that let you rapidly break down multi-choice grids[cite: 731, 733].

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Thermodynamics

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