What is the main difference between a reversible and irreversible process in thermodynamics?
- A. Reversible processes involve heat transfer, while irreversible processes do not.
- B. Reversible processes occur instantaneously, while irreversible processes take time.
- C. Reversible processes can be run in both directions with the same outcome, while irreversible processes cannot.
- D. Reversible processes violate the first law of thermodynamics.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A reversible process is an idealized process that can be reversed without leaving any change in either the system or the surroundings. In contrast, irreversible processes cannot be reversed and often involve entropy production or dissipation. Choice A is incorrect because both reversible and irreversible processes can involve heat transfer. Choice B is incorrect as the speed of a process does not determine its reversibility. Choice D is incorrect because reversible processes do not violate the first law of thermodynamics; they comply with it by maintaining a balance between energy inputs and outputs. Therefore, the correct answer is C, as it accurately captures the main difference between reversible and irreversible processes in thermodynamics.
You may also like to solve these questions
Bernoulli's principle for an incompressible, inviscid fluid in steady flow states that the mechanical energy, consisting of:
- A. Pressure (P) only, remains constant along a streamline.
- B. Velocity (v) only, remains constant along a streamline.
- C. P + ½Ïv² (total mechanical energy), remains constant along a streamline
- D. Density (Ï) only, remains constant along a streamline.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bernoulli's principle states that the sum of pressure energy (P), kinetic energy per unit volume (½Ïv²), and potential energy per unit volume remains constant along a streamline in an incompressible, inviscid fluid. This means the total mechanical energy of the fluid is conserved, making Choice C the correct answer. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because Bernoulli's principle involves the conservation of the total mechanical energy, not just pressure, velocity, or density alone.
Two balloons with charges of 5 μC each are placed 25 cm apart. What is the magnitude of the resulting repulsive force between them?
- A. 0.18 N
- B. 1.8 N
- C. 10−3 N
- D. 5 10−3 N
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To find the repulsive force between the two charges, we use Coulomb's law: F = k(q1 * q2) / r^2. Here, k is the Coulomb constant (8.99 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2), q1 and q2 are the charges (5 μC each), and r is the distance between the charges (25 cm = 0.25 m). Substituting these values into the formula: F = (8.99 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2)(5 x 10^-6 C)(5 x 10^-6 C) / (0.25 m)^2. Calculating this gives F = 1.8 N. Therefore, the magnitude of the resulting repulsive force between the two balloons is 1.8 N. Choice A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not correctly calculate the force using Coulomb's law.
A 5-cm candle is placed 20 cm away from a concave mirror with a focal length of 15 cm. About what is the image height of the candle in the mirror?
- A. 30.5 cm
- B. 15.625 cm
- C. −15 cm
- D. −30.5 cm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The magnification formula for a mirror is given by M = -f / (f - d), where f is the focal length of the mirror, and d is the object distance from the mirror. Using the mirror equation and magnification formula, the image height is found to be negative because it is inverted. Plugging in the values (f = 15 cm, d = 20 cm) into the formula gives M = -15 / (15 - 20) = -15 / -5 = 3. The negative sign indicates that the image is inverted. The image height is then calculated by multiplying the magnification by the object height: 3 * 5 cm = 15 cm. Therefore, the correct image height is approximately -15 cm. Choice A (30.5 cm) and Choice D (-30.5 cm) are incorrect as they do not consider the inversion of the image. Choice C (-15 cm) is also incorrect because it neglects the negative sign, which indicates the inversion of the image.
Two objects attract each other with a gravitational force of 12 units. If you double the distance between the objects, what is the new force of attraction between the two?
- A. 3 units
- B. 6 units
- C. 24 units
- D. 48 units
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The gravitational force between two objects is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. If the distance is doubled, the force will be reduced to 1/4 of the original force. Therefore, the new force of attraction between the two objects will be 12 units / 4 = 3 units. Choice A is correct because doubling the distance reduces the force to 1/4 of the original value. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not consider the inverse square relationship between distance and gravitational force.
Which characteristic does a transverse wave not have?
- A. a compression
- B. an amplitude
- C. a frequency
- D. a wavelength
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A transverse wave does not have a compression because transverse waves move perpendicular to the direction of the oscillation. In a transverse wave, the particles move up and down, causing crests and troughs, without creating compressions. Compressions are characteristic of longitudinal waves where the particles move parallel to the direction of the wave. The other choices (B, C, and D) are characteristics that transverse waves possess: amplitude is the maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position, frequency is the number of complete oscillations a wave makes in a given time, and wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points in a wave that are in the same phase.