Thermodynamic Systems: Master the Fundamentals for Engineering Success

Question 1

In an open thermodynamic system, which of the following properties can exchange with the surroundings?

Accepted Answer

Mass, energy, and entropy

Answer

Mass, but not energy or entropy

Answer

Mass and energy, but not entropy

Answer

Entropy, but not mass or energy

Question 2

In a closed thermodynamic system, entropy:

Accepted Answer

Can increase, decrease, or remain constant

Answer

Always increases

Answer

Always decreases

Answer

Remains constant

Question 3

The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics states that:

Accepted Answer

If two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other

Answer

Energy cannot be created or destroyed

Answer

Entropy always increases

Answer

Heat flows from cold to hot

Question 4

An isothermal process is one in which:

Accepted Answer

Temperature remains constant

Answer

Pressure remains constant

Answer

Volume remains constant

Answer

Entropy remains constant

Question 5

In an open system, what can be exchanged with the surroundings?

Accepted Answer

Mass and energy

Answer

Mass only

Answer

Energy only

Question 6

Which process involves an increase in system entropy?

Accepted Answer

Irreversible process

Answer

Reversible process

Answer

Adiabatic process

Question 7

A closed system is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Constant mass

Answer

Constant volume

Answer

Constant temperature

Question 8

Entropy is related to disorder as:

Accepted Answer

Entropy is a measure of the disorder of a system.

Answer

Disorder is a measure of the entropy of a system.

Question 9

State the first law of thermodynamics.

Accepted Answer

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transferred or transformed.

Answer

The total entropy of an isolated system always increases.

Answer

Heat flows from hot to cold.

Answer

The efficiency of a heat engine can never be 100%.

Question 10

Which of the following describes an open thermodynamic system?

Accepted Answer

Exchanges both energy and mass with its surroundings.

Answer

Exchanges only energy with its surroundings.

Answer

Exchanges only mass with its surroundings.

Answer

Neither exchanges energy nor mass with its surroundings.

Question 11

Entropy is a measure of:

Accepted Answer

Disorder or randomness in a system.

Answer

The total energy contained within a system.

Answer

The heat capacity of a system.

Answer

The pressure exerted by a system.

Question 12

According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat:

Accepted Answer

Always flows from hotter to colder objects.

Answer

Can flow spontaneously from colder to hotter objects.

Answer

Can be converted into work with 100% efficiency.

Answer

Cannot be created or destroyed.

Question 13

A heat engine operates between a hot reservoir at 500 K and a cold reservoir at 300 K. What is its maximum possible efficiency?

Accepted Answer

33%

Answer

50%

Answer

67%

Answer

100%

Question 14

A closed system is defined by which of the following properties?

Accepted Answer

Energy but not mass can be exchanged with the surroundings.

Answer

Both energy and mass can be exchanged freely.

Answer

Neither energy nor mass can be exchanged.

Answer

Only mass can be exchanged.

Question 15

Which thermodynamic process is characterized by constant temperature?

Accepted Answer

Isothermal

Answer

Isobaric

Answer

Adiabatic

Answer

Isochoric

Question 16

The primary principle conveyed by the first law of thermodynamics is that:

Accepted Answer

Energy can be neither created nor destroyed, only transformed.

Answer

Heat always flows from higher to lower temperatures.

Answer

The universe is constantly expanding.

Answer

Entropy tends to maximize in isolated systems.

Question 17

A reversible process in thermodynamics is one where:

Accepted Answer

The system can return to its initial state without any net change in entropy.

Answer

The system's temperature remains constant throughout the process.

Answer

Irreversible changes occur within the system.

Answer

Heat exchange occurs between objects at different temperatures.

Question 18

The efficiency of a heat engine is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

The ratio of work output to heat input.

Answer

The difference between heat input and heat output.

Answer

The ratio of heat output to work input.

Answer

The maximum temperature reached during the cycle.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of an open system?

Accepted Answer

A system with a movable piston, allowing for volume changes.

Answer

A sealed container filled with a fixed amount of gas.

Answer

An isolated system with no external interactions.

Answer

A system in thermodynamic equilibrium.

Question 20

Entropy can be described as:

Accepted Answer

A measure of disorder or randomness within a system.

Answer

A measure of the system's energy.

Answer

A measure of the system's temperature.

Answer

A measure of the system's volume.

Question 21

A key implication of the second law of thermodynamics is that:

Accepted Answer

The total entropy of an isolated system can only increase over time or remain constant.

Answer

The universe is constantly contracting.

Answer

Heat always flows from hot to cold objects.

Answer

Energy can be created or destroyed in certain circumstances.