Thermodynamics · JEE Preparation Chemistry

During an isothermal reversible expansion of an ideal gas against a constant external pressure, which of the following is correct?

Practice question from Thermodynamics (JEE Preparation Chemistry), with the correct answer and a step-by-step solution.

medium · MCQ · Q-DE7FEB

During an isothermal reversible expansion of an ideal gas against a constant external pressure, which of the following is correct?

  1. A.ΔU=0,q=−w\Delta U = 0, q = -wCorrect answer
  2. B.q=0,ΔU=wq = 0, \Delta U = w
  3. C.w=0,q=ΔUw = 0, q = \Delta U
  4. D.ΔSuniverse=0\Delta S_{\text{universe}} = 0

Solution

For an isothermal process of an ideal gas, internal energy depends only on temperature, so ΔU=0\Delta U = 0. From the first law (ΔU=q+w\Delta U = q + w), q=−wq = -w. Note: Reversible expansion implies Pext=PintP_{\text{ext}} = P_{\text{int}}, but the question states 'isothermal reversible', for which ΔU=0\Delta U = 0 holds universally.

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