GRE Physics Domain 4: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics Welcome to your GRE Physics Domain 4: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 1. GRE Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics A thermally isolated system consisting of an ideal gas undergoes an adiabatic free expansion. Which of the following statements is true regarding this process? A. The temperature of the gas increases. B. The temperature of the gas decreases. C. The temperature of the gas remains constant. D. The pressure of the gas increases. None 2. GRE Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics Which of the following best describes the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution in statistical mechanics? A. It is a distribution of velocities among particles in an ideal gas. B. It is the distribution of energy states in a black body radiator. C. It describes the distribution of particles over different quantum states in a Bose-Einstein condensate. D. It represents the distribution of magnetic spin orientations in a paramagnetic material. None 3. GRE Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics If the internal energy of an ideal gas depends only on its temperature, which of the following processes will result in no change in internal energy? A. Isothermal expansion B. Isobaric compression C. Isochoric heating D. Adiabatic expansion None 4. GRE Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics Which principle is best illustrated by the operation of a heat pump? A. Conservation of energy B. Second law of thermodynamics C. Pascal's principle D. Bernoulli's principle None 5. GRE Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics What is the primary implication of the Third Law of Thermodynamics? A. The entropy of a perfect crystal approaches zero as the temperature approaches absolute zero. B. Energy cannot be created or destroyed. C. The entropy of the universe is constantly increasing. D. Heat cannot be converted entirely into work without some other change occurring at the same time. None 6. GRE Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics In a reversible process, how does the entropy change in the universe? A. It increases. B. It decreases. C. It remains constant. D. It depends on the specific process. None 7. GRE Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics What does the Stefan-Boltzmann law relate to in thermodynamics? A. The rate of heat transfer through conduction. B. The pressure exerted by an ideal gas. C. The total energy radiated per unit surface area of a black body. D. The change in entropy with temperature. None 8. GRE Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics What is the significance of the Boltzmann constant in statistical mechanics? A. It defines the relationship between temperature and energy. B. It represents the maximum efficiency of a heat engine. C. It indicates the strength of gravitational attraction between particles. D. It measures the intensity of electric field due to a charged particle. None 9. GRE Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics A Carnot engine operates between two reservoirs at temperatures \( T_1 \) and \( T_2 \) (\( T_1 > T_2 \)). If the efficiency of the engine is 40\%, what is the ratio \( \frac{T_1}{T_2} \)? A. \( \frac{5}{3} \) B. \( \frac{4}{3} \) C. \( \frac{7}{3} \) D. \( \frac{3}{2} \) None 10. GRE Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics In a thermodynamic process, a gas expands from volume \( V_1 \) to \( V_2 \) and absorbs \( Q \) amount of heat. If the work done by the gas is \( W \) and the change in internal energy is \( \Delta U = 0 \), what is the relationship between \( Q \) and \( W \)? A. \( Q = W \) B. \( Q = 2W \) C. \( Q = \frac{W}{2} \) D. \( Q = -W \) None 1 out of 10 Time is Up! Time's up
