IB Physics HL Theme B: The particulate nature of matter questions

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Question 1

Paper 2Hard10 marks

A cyclic engine operates between two thermal reservoirs at 480 K480\ \mathrm{K} and 300 K300\ \mathrm{K} The engine, both reservoirs and an ideal mechanical work store form an isolated assembly. The engine returns to its initial state each cycle, and the work store’s entropy does not change.

For a reservoir at constant temperature, its entropy change is ΔS=Q/T\Delta S=Q/T where QQ is the energy received by the reservoir.

(a)

State the Clausius form and the Kelvin form of the second law of thermodynamics.

[2]
(b)

In one proposed cycle, the engine receives 1.20 kJ1.20\ \mathrm{kJ} from the 480 K480\ \mathrm{K} reservoir, transfers 0.50 kJ0.50\ \mathrm{kJ} to the 300 K300\ \mathrm{K} reservoir and delivers 0.70 kJ0.70\ \mathrm{kJ} to the work store.

Assess whether this proposed cycle is consistent with energy conservation and the second law.

[4]
(c)

The engine continues to receive 1.20 kJ1.20\ \mathrm{kJ} from the 480 K480\ \mathrm{K} reservoir each cycle. Determine the greatest possible work delivered to the work store per cycle, consistent with the second law, and state whether the limiting cycle is reversible or irreversible.

[4]

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