What is the name for a process that can be reversed without increasing total entropy?
Answer
reversible process
78 The Laws Of Thermodynamics Trivia Questions with Answers
78 public questions with answers, drawn from the well. How many can you answer?
This thermodynamics trivia hub examines the four laws that describe temperature, heat, work, entropy, and energy. Questions range from reversible processes and Carnot efficiency to Maxwell relations, thermodynamic potentials, and chemical potential. It is a focused way to review both the concepts commonly taught in introductory physics and the notation used in physical chemistry.
Expect questions about the historical development of the subject as well as equilibrium criteria. You may need to identify the potential symbolized by G, recognize the Greek letter μ for chemical potential, or connect the third law with the Nernst heat theorem. The set fits science classrooms, revision sessions, technical pub quizzes, and game nights for teams comfortable with scientific vocabulary.
Who introduced the term 'thermodynamics' in an 1849 paper?
Answer
William Thomson
At constant entropy and volume, which thermodynamic potential is minimized at equilibrium?
Answer
internal energy
Which thermodynamic potential is usually denoted by G?
Answer
Gibbs free energy
What theorem is the historical basis of the third law of thermodynamics?
Answer
Nernst heat theorem
Which 1824 book by Sadi Carnot founded the theory of heat engines?
Answer
Reflections on Motive Power of Fire
In heat-engine diagrams, what is the usual name for the hotter reservoir?
Answer
hot reservoir
Who formulated the third law of thermodynamics in 1906?
Answer
Walther Nernst
Which thermodynamic identity relates internal energy changes to entropy, volume, and particle number?
Answer
fundamental thermodynamic relation
What is the ratio of work output to heat input called for a heat engine?
Answer
thermal efficiency
The relation dS = δQrev/T defines entropy change for what kind of process?
Answer
reversible process
Which theorem states that the cyclic integral of δQ/T is never positive?
Answer
Clausius theorem
What is the common name for the colder reservoir in a heat engine?
Answer
heat sink
What type of device converts heat into mechanical work?
Answer
heat engine
What thermodynamic state variable is commonly denoted by U?
Answer
internal energy
Which SI derived unit is used for entropy?
Answer
joule per kelvin
What is the name of the point on a phase diagram where three phases coexist?
Answer
triple point
What is the name of the equation that relates the equilibrium constant of a chemical reaction to temperature?
Answer
van 't Hoff equation
What is the name of the parameter that measures the departure of a real gas from ideal gas behavior?
Answer
compressibility factor
What is the name of the thermodynamic cycle used in gas turbines?
Answer
Brayton cycle
What is the name of the theorem that states that energy is equally distributed among degrees of freedom?
Answer
Equipartition theorem
What is the name of the process where a solid changes directly to a gas?
Answer
sublimation
What is the name of the principle that states that the equilibrium state of a closed system is the one with maximum entropy?
Answer
maximum entropy principle
What is the name of the equation dU = T dS - P dV?
Answer
fundamental thermodynamic relation
What is the name of the process where a gas expands into a vacuum without doing work?
Answer
Joule expansion
What is the name of the effect where a real gas cools upon expansion through a porous plug?
Answer
Joule-Thomson effect
What is the value of the triple point of water in Kelvin?
Answer
273.16 K
Who developed the concept of chemical potential?
Answer
Josiah Willard Gibbs
The Laws Of Thermodynamics trivia — quick answers
What are good thermodynamics trivia questions?
Strong thermodynamics trivia questions ask about the zeroth through third laws, entropy, reversible processes, Carnot efficiency, Maxwell relations, thermodynamic potentials, chemical potential, and the scientists or historical theorems associated with the subject.
How hard is thermodynamics trivia?
Thermodynamics trivia can range from moderate to advanced. Basic questions test definitions such as entropy and temperature, while harder ones require familiarity with Legendre transforms, Maxwell relations, equilibrium potentials, chemical potential, and the historical development of the laws.
What is a reversible process in thermodynamics?
A reversible process is an idealized process that can be reversed so the system and surroundings return to their original states without a net increase in total entropy. It proceeds through equilibrium states and is used as a limiting model for maximum efficiency.
Which thermodynamic potential is usually denoted by G?
G denotes Gibbs free energy. It is defined as G = H − TS, where H is enthalpy, T is temperature, and S is entropy. At constant temperature and pressure, a system moves toward equilibrium by minimizing its Gibbs free energy.
What is the historical basis of the third law of thermodynamics?
The Nernst heat theorem is the historical basis of the third law of thermodynamics. In its common formulation, the entropy change associated with processes approaches zero as temperature approaches absolute zero, helping establish the behavior of matter near 0 kelvin.