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NEET PHYSICSEasy

If ΔU\Delta U and ΔW\Delta W represent the increase in internal energy and work done by the system respectively in a thermodynamical process, which of the following is true?

A

ΔU=ΔW\Delta U = -\Delta W, in an adiabatic process

B

ΔU=ΔW\Delta U = \Delta W, in an isothermal process

C

ΔU=ΔW\Delta U = \Delta W, in an adiabatic process

D

ΔU=ΔW\Delta U = -\Delta W, in an isothermal process

Step-by-Step Solution

According to the first law of thermodynamics, the heat supplied to a system (ΔQ\Delta Q) is equal to the sum of the increase in internal energy (ΔU\Delta U) and the work done by the system (ΔW\Delta W). This is expressed as ΔQ=ΔU+ΔW\Delta Q = \Delta U + \Delta W. In an adiabatic process, there is no heat exchange between the system and its surroundings, which means ΔQ=0\Delta Q = 0. Substituting this into the first law equation, we get 0=ΔU+ΔW0 = \Delta U + \Delta W, which simplifies to ΔU=ΔW\Delta U = -\Delta W. For an isothermal process, the temperature remains constant, so the change in internal energy for an ideal gas is zero (ΔU=0\Delta U = 0), making ΔQ=ΔW\Delta Q = \Delta W. Thus, the only correct statement is option A.

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