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Heat and Thermodynamics — Physics Questions & Practice

Practise 7 Heat and Thermodynamics questions from Physics for competitive exams such as UPSC, Banking, SSC and Railway. Read the worked questions below, check every answer with an explanation, and track what you get wrong.

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Practice questions on Heat and Thermodynamics — with answers

Try each question first, then open the answer. Explanations are included.

1. What is the lowest possible temperature, at which a system has minimal thermal energy, defined as 0 Kelvin?

AThe freezing point of water
BRoom temperature
CThe boiling point of water
DAbsolute zero

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Answer: D

Absolute zero (0 Kelvin, or -273.15C) is the theoretical lowest possible temperature, at which particles have minimal thermal motion.

2. What term describes the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, not requiring a medium?

ADiffusion
BConvection
CRadiation
DConduction

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Answer: C

Radiation is the transfer of heat via electromagnetic waves and can occur through a vacuum, e.g., heat from the Sun reaching Earth.

3. What term describes the transfer of heat through direct contact between particles of matter?

ARadiation
BConduction
CInsulation
DConvection

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Answer: B

Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct molecular contact, common in solids like metals.

4. The first law of thermodynamics is essentially a statement of which broader physical principle?

AConservation of mass
BIncrease of entropy
CConservation of energy
DConservation of momentum

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Answer: C

The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another - a statement of the conservation of energy.

5. What term describes the transfer of heat through the movement of fluid (liquid or gas) particles?

AConduction
BInsulation
CConvection
DRadiation

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Answer: C

Convection is the transfer of heat via the movement of fluid particles, common in liquids and gases (e.g., boiling water, atmospheric currents).

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Heat and Thermodynamics — Physics Questions & Practice

Practice questions on Heat and Thermodynamics — with answers

1. What is the lowest possible temperature, at which a system has minimal thermal energy, defined as 0 Kelvin?

2. What term describes the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, not requiring a medium?

3. What term describes the transfer of heat through direct contact between particles of matter?

4. The first law of thermodynamics is essentially a statement of which broader physical principle?

5. What term describes the transfer of heat through the movement of fluid (liquid or gas) particles?

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