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Question 23M.3.HL.TZ1.9

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Date May 2023 Marks available [Maximum mark: 10] Reference code 23M.3.HL.TZ1.9
Level HL Paper 3 Time zone TZ1
Command term Calculate, Outline, Show that, Suggest Question number 9 Adapted from N/A
9.
[Maximum mark: 10]
23M.3.HL.TZ1.9

The pV diagram shows a heat engine cycle consisting of adiabatic, isothermal and isovolumetric parts. The working substance of the engine is an ideal gas.

The following data are available:

pA = 5.00 × 105 Pa

VA = 2.00 × 10−3 m3

TA = 602 K

pB = 3.00 × 104 Pa

pC = 4.60 × 103 Pa

(a)

Suggest why AC is the adiabatic part of the cycle.

[2]

Markscheme

ALTERNATIVE 1

«considering expansions from A» an adiabatic process will reduce/change temperature ✓

and so curve AC must be the steeper ✓

 

ALTERNATIVE 2

temperature drop occurs for BC ✓

therefore CA must increase temperature «via adiabatic process». ✓

Examiners report

Heat engine. In a), most students only conveyed information given that AC is adiabatic but could not give clear enough reasons. 

(b)

Show that the volume at C is 3.33 × 10−2 m3.

[2]

Markscheme

ALTERNATIVE 1

Use of adiabatic formula «pAVA53=pCVC53 » VC=pApC35VA ✓

VC=5.00×1054.60×10335 × 2.00 × 10−3 «= 3.333 × 10−2 m3» ✓

 

For MP2, working or answer to at least 4 SF must be seen.

 

ALTERNATIVE 2

VC=VB AND pA VA = pBVB

VC=5×105×2×10-33×104

 

ALTERNATIVE 3

VC=VB AND n = 0.2 mol ✓

VC = (0.2 × 8.31 × 602) / 4 × 104

Examiners report

Calculating the volume was the easiest part of this question.

(c)

Suggest, for the change A ⇒ B, whether the entropy of the gas is increasing, decreasing or constant.

[2]

Markscheme

Increasing ✓

because thermal energy/heat is being provided to the gas « and temperature is constant, ΔS=ΔQT ✓

(d)

Calculate the thermal energy (heat) taken out of the gas from B to C.

[2]

Markscheme

ALTERNATIVE 1

Q=ΔU=32VCΔP ✓

Q=«32 × 3.33 × 10−2 × (3.00 × 104 − 4.60 × 103)» = 1268.7 ≈ 1270 «J» ✓

 

Award [2] for BCA.

Accept negative values.

 

ALTERNATIVE 2

Rn=5×105×2×10-3602=1.66  OR  Tc = 4.6 × 103 × 3.33 × 10−2 × 1.66 = 92.2  ✓

ΔU=32×1.661×(602-92.21)=1270 «J» ✓

 

Award MP1 if Tc = 92 taken from (e)

Examiners report

Calculating thermal energy in d) and comparing ideal efficiency discriminated between average and best students.

(e)

The highest and lowest temperatures of the gas during the cycle are 602 K and 92 K.

The efficiency of this engine is about 0.6. Outline how these data are consistent with the second law of thermodynamics.

[2]

Markscheme

ec = 1 − 92602 = 0.847 ✓

this engine has e < ec as it should ✓

 

Award [0] if no calculation shown.