Quantrex Quantrex AcademyJEE · NEET · NDA PYQs with solutions Open app
NEET 2026
Exam
NEET
Year
2026
Subject
Chemistry
Chapter
Thermodynamics (C)

NEET 2026 · Chemistry · Thermodynamics (C)

Consider the reversible processes for 1.0 mol of an ideal gas as...

Consider the reversible processes for 1.01.0 mol of an ideal gas as shown in the figure.
Consider the reversible processes for 1.0 mol of an ideal gas as shown in the figure. Processes 2 and 4 are adiabatic.
Processes 2 and 4 are adiabatic. w1w_1, w2w_2, w3w_3 and w4w_4 represent work done (in calories) in the processes 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively; ΔU2\Delta U_2 and ΔU4\Delta U_4 are changes in the internal energy for the processes 2 and 4, respectively.
[use R =2=2 cal K−1^{-1} mol−1^{-1}]
The correct option is

Options

  1. Aw1+w2+w3+w4=0w_1+w_2+w_3+w_4=0
  2. Bw1+w3=−2T1ln⁡V2V1−2T2ln⁡V4V3w_1+w_3=-2T_1\ln\dfrac{V_2}{V_1}-2T_2\ln\dfrac{V_4}{V_3}
  3. Cw2+w4=ΔU2−ΔU4w_2+w_4=\Delta U_2-\Delta U_4
  4. Dw1+w2=2T1ln⁡V2V1w_1+w_2=2T_1\ln\dfrac{V_2}{V_1}

Correct answer

B. w1+w3=−2T1ln⁡V2V1−2T2ln⁡V4V3w_1+w_3=-2T_1\ln\dfrac{V_2}{V_1}-2T_2\ln\dfrac{V_4}{V_3}

Step-by-step solution

Using the IUPAC sign convention for thermodynamics, work done is given by w=−∫pdVw = -\int p dV.

For the isothermal reversible process 1 (from volume V1V_1 to V2V_2 at constant temperature T1T_1):
w1=−nRT1ln⁡(V2V1)w_1 = -nRT_1 \ln\left(\dfrac{V_2}{V_1}\right)
Given n=1n = 1 mol and R=2R = 2 cal K−1^{-1} mol−1^{-1}, we have:
w1=−2T1ln⁡(V2V1)w_1 = -2T_1 \ln\left(\dfrac{V_2}{V_1}\right)

For the isothermal reversible process 3 (from volume V3V_3 to V4V_4 at constant temperature T2T_2):
w3=−nRT2ln⁡(V4V3)=−2T2ln⁡(V4V3)w_3 = -nRT_2 \ln\left(\dfrac{V_4}{V_3}\right) = -2T_2 \ln\left(\dfrac{V_4}{V_3}\right)

Adding the work done in these two processes:
w1+w3=−2T1ln⁡(V2V1)−2T2ln⁡(V4V3)w_1 + w_3 = -2T_1 \ln\left(\dfrac{V_2}{V_1}\right) - 2T_2 \ln\left(\dfrac{V_4}{V_3}\right)

Let us also verify the other options to be sure.
For option (1): The net work done in a reversible cycle is the area enclosed by the p−Vp-V curve, which is non-zero. Thus, w1+w2+w3+w4≠0w_1 + w_2 + w_3 + w_4 \neq 0.

For option (3): In adiabatic processes, q=0q = 0, so from the first law of thermodynamics, ΔU=w\Delta U = w.
Therefore, w2=ΔU2w_2 = \Delta U_2 and w4=ΔU4w_4 = \Delta U_4.
This gives w2+w4=ΔU2+ΔU4w_2 + w_4 = \Delta U_2 + \Delta U_4.
Since internal energy is a state function, for the complete cycle ΔUcycle=ΔU1+ΔU2+ΔU3+ΔU4=0\Delta U_{cycle} = \Delta U_1 + \Delta U_2 + \Delta U_3 + \Delta U_4 = 0.
For isothermal processes 1 and 3, ΔU1=0\Delta U_1 = 0 and ΔU3=0\Delta U_3 = 0.
Thus, ΔU2+ΔU4=0\Delta U_2 + \Delta U_4 = 0, which means w2+w4=0w_2 + w_4 = 0.
However, ΔU2−ΔU4=ΔU2−(−ΔU2)=2ΔU2≠0\Delta U_2 - \Delta U_4 = \Delta U_2 - (-\Delta U_2) = 2\Delta U_2 \neq 0.
Hence, w2+w4≠ΔU2−ΔU4w_2 + w_4 \neq \Delta U_2 - \Delta U_4.

For option (4): w1+w2=−2T1ln⁡(V2V1)+ΔU2≠2T1ln⁡(V2V1)w_1 + w_2 = -2T_1 \ln\left(\dfrac{V_2}{V_1}\right) + \Delta U_2 \neq 2T_1 \ln\left(\dfrac{V_2}{V_1}\right).

Answer: w1+w3=−2T1ln⁡V2V1−2T2ln⁡V4V3w_1+w_3=-2T_1\ln\dfrac{V_2}{V_1}-2T_2\ln\dfrac{V_4}{V_3}
Practice Thermodynamics (C) on Quantrex Academy →

More from Thermodynamics (C)

A certain organic solvent has Δ H\_vap = 28.50\ kJ mol^ -1 and Δ S\_vap = 88.2\ J K^ -1 \… MHT CET Medical 2026Which of the following statements regarding spontaneous process is NOT true? MHT CET Medical 2026Calculate Δ H for a reaction, 2X_ (g) + Y_ (g) arrow 2Z_ (g) at 298 K if Δ U = -10.5 kJ… MHT CET Medical 2026500\ mL of nitrogen gas and 750\ mL hydrogen gas were allowed to react at 1\ bar pressure… MHT CET Medical 2026The relationship between Δ H and Δ U for the reaction, PCl_3(g) + Cl_2(g) arrow PCl_5(g)… MHT CET Medical 2026What would be the heat released in kJ when 450\ cm^3 of 0.02\ M\ H_2SO_4 is mixed with… MHT CET Medical 2026Identify from following reactions that it takes place with Δ H = Δ U . MHT CET Medical 2026Calculate the work done in the following reaction at 300\ K , A(g) + B(g) = 2C(g) [R =… MHT CET Medical 2026 Full Thermodynamics (C) list All NEET PYQs