Important Thermodynamic Processes to Know for AP Physics 2 (2025)

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What is the First Law of Thermodynamics?

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1

What is the First Law of Thermodynamics?

ΔU = Q - W, which states that the change in internal energy is equal to heat added to the system minus work done by the system.

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2

What occurs during an Isothermal Process?

The system's temperature remains constant and the internal energy does not change (ΔU = 0).

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3

In an Adiabatic Process, what is the heat exchange with surroundings?

No heat exchange occurs (Q = 0).

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4

How is work done during an Isobaric Process calculated?

W = PΔV, where P is the constant pressure and ΔV is the change in volume.

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5

During an Isochoric Process, what happens to the volume?

The volume remains constant (W = 0), and any heat added changes the internal energy (ΔU = Q).

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6

What defines a Cyclic Process?

The system undergoes a series of processes and returns to its initial state, resulting in a net change in internal energy of zero (ΔU = 0).

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7

What is an Isentropic Process?

A reversible adiabatic process where entropy remains constant (ΔS = 0).

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8

What happens in a Throttling Process?

Pressure drops as a fluid passes through a restriction or valve without heat exchange (W = 0, Q = 0).

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9

What does the Carnot cycle represent?

An idealized model of a heat engine that operates between a hot and cold reservoir with maximum efficiency.

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10

How is the efficiency (η) of a heat engine calculated?

η = 1 - Tc/Th, where Tc is the temperature of the cold reservoir and Th is the temperature of the hot reservoir.

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11

What characterizes a Polytropic Process?

It follows the relationship PV^n = constant, where n is the polytropic index.

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12

What is the Coefficient of Performance (COP) in refrigeration cycles?

COP = Qc/W, where Qc is the heat removed from the cold reservoir and W is the work input.

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13

What happens in a refrigeration cycle?

Heat is transferred from a low-temperature reservoir to a high-temperature reservoir.

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14

In an Isothermal Process for an ideal gas, what is the work calculation?

W = nRT ln(Vf/Vi), where Vf and Vi are the final and initial volumes.

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15

What is the relationship of heat capacities in an Adiabatic Process?

γ = Cp/Cv, where γ is the heat capacity ratio.

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16

What is the concept of Entropy in thermodynamics?

Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system, often associated with the amount of energy unavailable to do work.

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17

What is a Heat Engine?

A heat engine is a device that converts thermal energy into mechanical work by taking in heat from a high-temperature source and expelling some heat to a low-temperature sink.

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18

What is the significance of the Refrigeration Cycle?

The refrigeration cycle is significant because it allows for the transfer of heat from a cooler space to a warmer space, effectively cooling the lower temperature area, such as in refrigerators or air conditioners.

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19

Define Internal Energy (U).

Internal energy is the total energy contained within a system, due to both the kinetic and potential energies of its microscopic components.

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20

How do you define Enthalpy (H)?

Enthalpy is defined as H = U + PV, where U is the internal energy, P is the pressure, and V is the volume of the system, representing the total heat content.

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