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2.3 2nd Laws of thermodynamics: Kelvin Planck & Clausius Statements its equivalence, Entropy and
Entropy Relations, Isentropic process & efficiency, reversible and irreversible process Heat engine, Heat
pumps, Refrigerator, thermal efficiency, coefficient of performance, Carnot cycle and its efficiency.
(AMeE0203)

**1. Which statement is true regarding the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics?**

a) It states that energy cannot be created or destroyed.

b) It states that heat always flows from a colder body to a hotter body.

c) It states that it is impossible to construct a device that operates in a cycle and produces no net effect
other than the transfer of heat from a colder body to a hotter body.

d) It states that all processes are reversible.

**Hint:** The Kelvin-Planck statement of the 2nd Law is about heat engines.

**Solution:** c) It states that it is impossible to construct a device that operates in a cycle and produces
no net effect other than the transfer of heat from a colder body to a hotter body.

**Explanation:** The Kelvin-Planck statement of the 2nd Law asserts that it is impossible to build a heat
engine that operates in a cycle and produces no other effect than the transfer of heat from a colder
reservoir to a hotter reservoir.

**2. What is entropy?**

a) The measure of the internal energy of a system.

b) The measure of the disorder or randomness of a system.

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c) The total energy of a system.

d) The heat added to a system.

**Hint:** Think about the concept of disorder.

**Solution:** b) The measure of the disorder or randomness of a system.

**Explanation:** Entropy is a measure of the amount of disorder or randomness in a system. It increases

**3. An isentropic process is one that is:**

a) Reversible and adiabatic.

b) Irreversible and adiabatic.

c) Reversible and isothermal.

d) Irreversible and isothermal.

**Hint:** Break down the term "isentropic."

**Solution:** a) Reversible and adiabatic.

**Explanation:** An isentropic process is one that is both reversible and adiabatic, meaning there is no
heat exchange with the surroundings, and it is internally reversible.

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**4. What is the efficiency of a heat engine?**

a) The ratio of work done by the engine to the heat input.

b) The ratio of work done by the engine to the work input.

c) The ratio of heat input to heat output.

d) The ratio of temperature difference between the hot and cold reservoirs.

**Hint:** Efficiency is related to the useful work produced.

**Solution:** a) The ratio of work done by the engine to the heat input.

**Explanation:** The efficiency of a heat engine is defined as the ratio of the work done by the engine to
the heat input.

**5. Which type of process cannot occur in a real-world system?**

a) Reversible process

b) Irreversible process

c) Adiabatic process

d) Isobaric process

**Hint:** Think about the idealized nature of certain processes.

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**Solution:** a) Reversible process

**Explanation:** Reversible processes are idealized and do not occur in real-world systems due to factors
like friction, heat transfer, and irreversibilities.

**6. What is the Coefficient of Performance (COP) for a refrigerator?**

a) The ratio of heat absorbed from the cold reservoir to the work input.

b) The ratio of heat absorbed from the hot reservoir to the work input.

c) The ratio of work input to the heat rejected to the hot reservoir.

d) The ratio of heat rejected to the cold reservoir to the heat absorbed from the hot reservoir.

**Hint:** COP is related to the efficiency of a refrigerator.

**Solution:** d) The ratio of heat rejected to the cold reservoir to the heat absorbed from the hot
reservoir.

**Explanation:** The Coefficient of Performance (COP) for a refrigerator is defined as the ratio of heat
removed from the cold reservoir to the work input.

**7. What is the maximum theoretical efficiency of a Carnot heat engine operating between two
temperature reservoirs?**

a) 0%

b) 100%

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c) It depends on the specific working fluid.

d) It depends on the size of the engine.

**Hint:** Think about the Carnot cycle.

**Solution:** b) 100%

**Explanation:** The maximum theoretical efficiency of a Carnot heat engine operating between two
temperature reservoirs is 100% when the engine operates reversibly.

**1. Which of the following statements is part of the Kelvin-Planck statement of the second law of
thermodynamics?**

a) Heat cannot spontaneously flow from a colder body to a hotter body.

b) The entropy of an isolated system always increases over time.

c) It is impossible to construct a heat engine that operates in a cycle and produces no net work while
transferring heat from a single reservoir.

d) The entropy of a perfect crystal at absolute zero is zero.

**Hint:** The Kelvin-Planck statement deals with heat engines and their efficiency.

**Solution:** c) It is impossible to construct a heat engine that operates in a cycle and produces no net
work while transferring heat from a single reservoir.

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**Explanation:** This statement is known as the Kelvin-Planck statement, and it essentially states that it
is impossible to create a heat engine that operates in a cycle while transferring heat from a single
reservoir, i.e., it's impossible to convert all input heat into work without any waste.

**2. The Clausius statement of the second law of thermodynamics is related to:**

a) Heat pumps.

b) Refrigerators.

c) Carnot cycle.

d) Isentropic processes.

**Hint:** The Clausius statement focuses on heat transfer.

**Solution:** a) Heat pumps.

**Explanation:** The Clausius statement deals with the impossibility of a heat pump that can transfer
heat from a low-temperature reservoir to a high-temperature reservoir without the input of external
work.

**3. Entropy is a measure of:**

a) Temperature.

b) Disorder or randomness.

c) Internal energy.

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d) Heat transfer.

**Hint:** Think about what entropy quantifies in a thermodynamic system.

**Solution:** b) Disorder or randomness.

**Explanation:** Entropy is a measure of the degree of disorder or randomness in a system. It increases

**4. An isentropic process is one that is:**

a) Reversible and adiabatic.

b) Irreversible and isothermal.

c) Reversible and isothermal.

d) Irreversible and adiabatic.

**Hint:** The term "isentropic" implies certain characteristics of a process.

**Solution:** a) Reversible and adiabatic.

**Explanation:** An isentropic process is one that is both reversible and adiabatic, meaning it occurs
without heat transfer and is also reversible.

**5. The efficiency of a Carnot engine operating between two temperature reservoirs is highest when:**

a) The temperature of the hot reservoir is high.

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b) The temperature of the cold reservoir is low.

c) The temperature difference between the two reservoirs is small.

d) The engine operates at maximum power.

**Hint:** Think about what factors affect the efficiency of a Carnot engine.

**Solution:** b) The temperature of the cold reservoir is low.

**Explanation:** The efficiency of a Carnot engine is highest when the temperature of the cold reservoir
is as low as possible compared to the temperature of the hot reservoir.

**1. Which of the following is a statement of the Kelvin-Planck statement of the 2nd Law of
Thermodynamics?**

A. Heat flows from a hot object to a cold object spontaneously.

B. It is impossible to construct a device that operates in a cycle and extracts heat from a single reservoir
to do an equivalent amount of work.

C. Entropy of an isolated system always decreases.

D. The total energy in a closed system is conserved.

**Hint:** The Kelvin-Planck statement relates to the impossibility of a certain type of heat engine.

**Solution:** B

**Explanation:** The Kelvin-Planck statement of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics states that it is
impossible to construct a device that operates in a cycle and extracts heat from a single reservoir to do an
equivalent amount of work. In other words, it is impossible to have a heat engine that is 100% efficient.

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**2. What is the Clausius statement of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics?**

A. Heat always flows from a hot object to a cold object.

B. It is impossible to create a perpetual motion machine.

C. The entropy of an isolated system always increases.

D. The temperature of a closed system always decreases.

**Hint:** The Clausius statement relates to the direction of heat transfer and the concept of entropy.

**Solution:** C

**Explanation:** The Clausius statement of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics states that the entropy of
an isolated system always increases. In simple terms, it implies that heat naturally flows from hot to cold
objects, and the total entropy of the universe always increases over time.

**3. What is entropy in thermodynamics?**

A. A measure of the disorder or randomness of a system.

B. A measure of the temperature of a system.

C. A measure of the pressure of a system.

D. A measure of the energy content of a system.

**Hint:** Think about the concept of disorder and randomness in a system.

**Solution:** A

**Explanation:** Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness of a system. It quantifies the degree
of chaos or uncertainty in a system and is related to the distribution of energy and matter within that
system.

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**4. Which type of process is characterized by constant entropy?**

A. Isobaric process

B. Isothermal process

C. Isentropic process

D. Isenthalpic process

**Hint:** The term "isentropic" is a clue.

**Solution:** C

**Explanation:** An isentropic process is one in which entropy remains constant. Such a process is often
associated with adiabatic and reversible processes.

**5. In a reversible process, which of the following is true?**

A. The process occurs infinitely slowly.

B. The process is always isothermal.

C. The process is irreversible.

D. The entropy of the system decreases.

**Hint:** Think about what makes a process reversible.

**Solution:** A

**Explanation:** In a reversible process, the process occurs infinitely slowly, and the system and its
surroundings can be returned to their initial states with no net change in entropy. Reversible processes
are idealized and do not occur in practice.

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**6. What is the coefficient of performance (COP) for a refrigerator?**

A. The ratio of work input to the heat absorbed from the inside of the refrigerator.

B. The ratio of work input to the heat rejected to the surroundings.

C. The ratio of heat absorbed from the inside of the refrigerator to the work input.

D. The ratio of heat rejected to the surroundings to the heat absorbed from the inside of the
refrigerator.

**Hint:** Consider the purpose of a refrigerator.

**Solution:** C

**Explanation:** The coefficient of performance (COP) for a refrigerator is the ratio of heat absorbed
from the inside of the refrigerator to the work input required to achieve that. It quantifies how effectively
a refrigerator can transfer heat from the inside to the outside.

**7. What is the efficiency of a Carnot engine operating between two reservoirs at temperatures T_H
(hot) and T_C (cold)?**

A. 100%

B. (T_H - T_C) / T_H

C. T_H / (T_H - T_C)

D. T_C / T_H

**Hint:** Think about the Carnot efficiency formula.

**Solution:** C

**Explanation:** The efficiency of a Carnot engine is given by the formula: Efficiency = 1 - (T_C / T_H),
where T_C is the absolute temperature of the cold reservoir and T_H is the absolute temperature of the
hot reservoir.

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1. What does the Kelvin-Planck statement of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics state?

a) Heat cannot be transferred from a cold reservoir to a hot reservoir.

b) It is impossible to construct a perpetual motion machine of the first kind.

c) Total energy of the universe is constant.

d) Entropy always decreases in an isolated system.

Hint: Think about the principle of heat transfer in heat engines.

Solution: b) It is impossible to construct a perpetual motion machine of the first kind.

Explanation: The Kelvin-Planck statement states that it is impossible to construct a device that operates
in a cycle and produces no net work while transferring heat from a single thermal reservoir.

2. What does the Clausius statement of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics state?

a) Heat cannot be transferred from a hot reservoir to a cold reservoir.

b) It is impossible to construct a perpetual motion machine of the second kind.

c) Heat is always transferred from a cold body to a hot body.

d) Entropy always decreases in a closed system.

Hint: Think about the direction of heat flow.

Solution: a) Heat cannot be transferred from a hot reservoir to a cold reservoir.

Explanation: The Clausius statement states that it is impossible to construct a device that operates in a
cycle and transfers heat from a colder body to a hotter body without the input of work.

3. Which of the following is a state function related to the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics?

a) Temperature

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b) Pressure

c) Enthalpy

d) Entropy

Hint: Consider which property is related to the concept of disorder.

Solution: d) Entropy

Explanation: Entropy is a state function that is a measure of the degree of disorder or randomness in a
system.

4. An isentropic process is one that is:

a) Reversible and adiabatic

b) Irreversible and adiabatic

c) Reversible and isobaric

d) Irreversible and isothermal

Hint: Think about the conditions for an isentropic process.

Solution: a) Reversible and adiabatic

Explanation: An isentropic process is adiabatic (no heat transfer) and reversible (frictionless).

5. What is the efficiency of a Carnot heat engine operating between two reservoirs at temperatures T_H
and T_C?

a) 1 - (T_C / T_H)

b) (T_H - T_C) / T_H

c) (T_H / T_C) - 1

d) T_H / (T_H - T_C)

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Hint: Recall the Carnot efficiency formula.

Solution: a) 1 - (T_C / T_H)

Explanation: The efficiency of a Carnot heat engine is given by 1 - (T_C / T_H), where T_C is the absolute
temperature of the cold reservoir and T_H is the absolute temperature of the hot reservoir.

6. What is the coefficient of performance (COP) of a refrigerator?

a) 1 - (T_C / T_H)

b) (T_H - T_C) / T_H

c) (T_H / T_C) - 1

d) T_C / (T_H - T_C)

Hint: Consider the purpose of a refrigerator.

Solution: b) (T_H - T_C) / T_H

Explanation: The COP of a refrigerator is given by (T_H - T_C) / T_C, where T_H is the absolute
temperature of the hot reservoir and T_C is the absolute temperature of the cold reservoir.

1. What is the second law of thermodynamics primarily concerned with?

A) Heat transfer

B) Energy conservation

C) Entropy

D) Temperature

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Hint: Think about the fundamental concept associated with the second law of thermodynamics.

Answer: C) Entropy

Explanation: The second law of thermodynamics is primarily concerned with the concept of entropy,
which is a measure of the degree of disorder or randomness in a system.

2. The Kelvin-Planck statement of the second law of thermodynamics is related to:

A) Entropy change

B) Conservation of energy

C) Irreversible processes

D) Temperature gradients

Hint: Consider what the Kelvin-Planck statement specifically addresses.

Answer: C) Irreversible processes

Explanation: The Kelvin-Planck statement states that it is impossible to create a heat engine that
operates in a complete cycle and extracts heat from a single reservoir to do an equivalent amount of work.
This is related to irreversible processes.

3. The Clausius statement of the second law of thermodynamics is related to:

A) Entropy change

B) Conservation of energy

C) Reversible processes

D) Temperature gradients

Hint: Think about what the Clausius statement emphasizes.

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Answer: A) Entropy change

Explanation: The Clausius statement is concerned with the concept of entropy and the impossibility of
a perpetual motion machine of the second kind, which relates to the change in entropy during a cycle.

4. Which of the following is an example of an isentropic process?

A) Adiabatic compression

B) Isothermal expansion

C) Constant volume heating

D) Constant pressure cooling

Hint: Remember what an isentropic process involves.

Answer: A) Adiabatic compression

Explanation: An isentropic process is an adiabatic (no heat exchange) and reversible process, which
means there is no change in entropy. Adiabatic compression is an example of this.

5. The efficiency of a heat engine is defined as:

A) The ratio of heat input to work output

B) The ratio of work input to heat output

C) The ratio of work output to heat input

D) The ratio of temperature change to heat input

Hint: Consider the purpose of a heat engine and what it aims to achieve.

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Answer: C) The ratio of work output to heat input

Explanation: The efficiency of a heat engine is defined as the ratio of the useful work output to the heat
input.

6. A reversible process in thermodynamics is one that:

A) Occurs very slowly

B) Happens spontaneously

C) Cannot be analyzed

D) Violates the second law

Hint: Think about the characteristics of a reversible process.

Answer: A) Occurs very slowly

Explanation: A reversible process is one that occurs very slowly and can be analyzed, and it does not
violate the second law of thermodynamics.

7. In a refrigerator, the coefficient of performance (COP) is defined as:

A) The ratio of work input to heat output

B) The ratio of heat input to work output

C) The ratio of work output to heat input

D) The ratio of temperature change to work input

Hint: Consider what the COP measures in a refrigerator.

Answer: A) The ratio of heat input to work output

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Explanation: The COP of a refrigerator is defined as the ratio of the heat absorbed from the cold reservoir
to the work input required to achieve this.

8. The Carnot cycle is an idealized thermodynamic cycle that:

A) Operates with 100% efficiency

B) Has a constant temperature during isentropic processes

C) Consists of two isobaric and two isochoric processes

D) Cannot be implemented in practice

Hint: Consider the characteristics of the Carnot cycle.

Answer: D) Cannot be implemented in practice

Explanation: The Carnot cycle is an idealized cycle that cannot be implemented in practice, but it serves
as a theoretical benchmark for the maximum possible efficiency of a heat engine between two reservoirs.

1. What is the Kelvin-Planck statement of the second law of thermodynamics?

a) Heat cannot be completely converted into work in a cyclic process.

b) It is impossible to reach absolute zero temperature.

c) The total entropy of an isolated system always increases.

d) Energy can neither be created nor destroyed.

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Hint: Think about the efficiency of heat engines.

**Solution:** a) Heat cannot be completely converted into work in a cyclic process.

**Explanation:** The Kelvin-Planck statement states that no heat engine can operate in a cycle while
transferring heat from a single reservoir to do an equivalent amount of work.

2. Which statement is true regarding the Clausius statement of the second law of thermodynamics?

a) Heat cannot be transferred from a colder body to a hotter body without external work being done on
the system.

b) Heat can flow from a colder body to a hotter body spontaneously.

c) The total entropy of an isolated system always decreases.

d) Energy is conserved in all processes.

Hint: Think about the direction of heat transfer.

**Solution:** a) Heat cannot be transferred from a colder body to a hotter body without external work
being done on the system.

**Explanation:** The Clausius statement asserts that heat does not flow spontaneously from a colder
body to a hotter body without external work being done.

3. Entropy is a measure of:

a) Energy content of a system.

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b) Disorder or randomness in a system.

c) Temperature of a system.

d) Pressure of a system.

Hint: Think about the concept of entropy.

**Solution:** b) Disorder or randomness in a system.

**Explanation:** Entropy is a measure of the degree of disorder or randomness in a system.

4. An isentropic process is one in which:

a) The temperature remains constant.

b) The pressure remains constant.

c) The entropy remains constant.

d) The volume remains constant.

Hint: Consider the term "isentropic" and its meaning.

**Solution:** c) The entropy remains constant.

**Explanation:** In an isentropic process, the entropy of the system remains constant.

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5. The efficiency of a Carnot engine operating between two reservoirs at temperatures T_H and T_C is
given by:

a) 1 - T_C / T_H

b) 1 - T_H / T_C

c) T_H / T_C

d) T_C / T_H

Hint: Recall the formula for Carnot engine efficiency.

**Solution:** a) 1 - T_C / T_H

**Explanation:** The efficiency of a Carnot engine is given by 1 - T_C / T_H, where T_C is the absolute
temperature of the cold reservoir and T_H is the absolute temperature of the hot reservoir.

6. What is the coefficient of performance (COP) for a heat pump?

a) COP = 1 / (1 - T_C / T_H)

b) COP = 1 - T_C / T_H

c) COP = T_H / (T_H - T_C)

d) COP = T_C / (T_H - T_C)

Hint: Think about the purpose of a heat pump.

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**Solution:** a) COP = 1 / (1 - T_C / T_H)

**Explanation:** The coefficient of performance (COP) for a heat pump is given by 1 / (1 - T_C / T_H),
where T_C is the absolute temperature of the cold reservoir and T_H is the absolute temperature of the
hot reservoir.

7. In a reversible process, which of the following is true?

a) The process occurs spontaneously.

b) The process is in thermal equilibrium.

c) There is no change in entropy.

d) The process is ideal and does not exist in reality.

Hint: Consider the characteristics of reversible processes.

**Solution:** b) The process is in thermal equilibrium.

**Explanation:** In a reversible process, the system is always in thermal equilibrium with its
surroundings, and it proceeds infinitely slowly.

8. A refrigerator is a device that:

a) Converts heat into work.

b) Transfers heat from a cold space to a hot space.

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c) Increases the internal energy of a system.

d) Decreases the temperature of a system.

Hint: Think about the purpose of a refrigerator.

**Solution:** b) Transfers heat from a cold space to a hot space.

**Explanation:** A refrigerator transfers heat from a cold space (the inside of the refrigerator) to a hot
space (the room).

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