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Most Repeated MDCAT Physics: Heat and Thermodynamics MCQs
The most repeated Heat and Thermodynamics questions in MDCAT Physics, measured from 377 real past papers. Heat and Thermodynamics contributed 465 questions across those papers, and 16 distinct questions recurred with the same verified answer across 2 or more different exam years — listed below (ranked by how many years each recurs in), with the answer, an explanation, and the exact years.
Measured from 377 real past papers · updated July 2026
- 1Repeated in 3 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
The sum of all forms of molecular energies in a thermodynamic system is known as:
- AInternal energy✓
- BEnthalpy
- CEntropy
- DGibbs free energy
Explanation
This is the correct answer. Internal energy is a thermodynamic property that represents the total energy of a system, including the kinetic energy of its molecules and the potential energy stored in their bonds. It encompasses all forms of microscopic energy within the system.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2017, 2023, 2024
- 2Repeated in 3 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
If constant temperature conditions are applied to a gas container, then the volume of the mass of that gas tends to increase by:
- ADecreasing the applied pressure✓
- BIncreasing the applied pressure
- CIncreasing the applied pressure with double force
- DIncreasing the weight
Explanation
Boyle's law: states that the volume of a given amount of gas held at constant temperature varies inversely with the applied pressure when the temperature and mass are constant.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2018, 2023, 2024
- 3Repeated in 2 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
Which of the following is the fractional change in resistance per kelvin?
- AConductivity
- BResistivity
- CTemperature coefficient of resistivity
- DTemperature coefficient of resistance✓
Explanation
The temperature coefficient of resistance represents how the resistance of a conductor changes with temperature. It is defined as the fractional change in resistance per Kelvin.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2022, 2023
- 4Repeated in 2 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
A sample of an ideal gas occupies a volume "V" at pressure "p" and absolute temperature "T". The mass of each molecule is 'm'. If "k" is the Boltzmann constant then the density of the gas is:
- AmkT
- BP/KT
- CP/kTV
- DmP/kT✓
- E2mPT/k
Explanation
PV= NkTV= NkT/PThe mass of one molecule of gas is ‘m’So total mass= N*mThe density of the gas is = total mass/ total volumeDensity= N*m/ (NkT/P)Which simplifies to mP/kT That is consistent with option D.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2009, 2010
- 5Repeated in 2 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
Which law has a graph similar to the graph of an isothermal process?
- ABoyle's law✓
- BCharle's law
- CAvogadro's law
- DLaw of heat exchange
Explanation
Boyle's law gives the relation between pressure and volume at constant temperature (isotherm). Hence, the graph of Boyle's law is similar to that of isothermal process. The graph of Charles law is similar to graph of isobaric process. Hence, option A is correct.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024
- 6Repeated in 2 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
The property of the system that does not change during adiabatic change is:
- ATemperature
- BVolume
- CPressure
- DAmount of heat✓
Explanation
In adiabatic process, heat remains constant. Q =constant ΔQ = O Hence, option D is correct.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024
- 7Repeated in 2 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
The internal energy of an ideal gas depends upon only:
- APressure
- BVolume
- CTemperature✓
- DAll of these
Explanation
The internal energy of an ideal gas is determined by its temperature because it is directly related to the kinetic energy of its molecules. According to the kinetic theory of gases, the average kinetic energy of gas molecules is proportional to the absolute temperature of the gas. Pressure and volume do not directly affect the internal energy in an ideal gas scenario. Therefore, the correct answer is temperature, as the internal energy is a function of temperature alone in ideal gases.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024
- 8Repeated in 2 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
A container is divided into two equal portions. One portion contains an ideal gas at pressure P and temperature T while the other portion is a perfect vacuum. If a hole is opened between two portions:
- AThere will be a change in internal energy.
- BThere will be a change in temperature.
- CThere will be no change in internal energy.✓
- DThe external pressure will increase
- EThe external pressure will decrease.
Explanation
This is correct. Because the gas expands into a vacuum with no heat exchange and no work done, internal energy remains unchanged. This is a key characteristic of free expansion for ideal gases.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2016, 2017
- 9Repeated in 2 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
The first law of thermodynamics can be expressed mathematically as:
- AΔθ = Δu + Δw✓
- BΔθ = Δu
- CΔθ = Δw
- DNone
Explanation
First law of thermodynamics states “ energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only be altered/changed into different forms”. Δθ= Δu + Δw is one of the mathematical expression for first law of thermodynamics which explains that heat supplied to the system(Δθ) is equal to change in internal energy of the system(Δu) plus work done by the system on the surrounding(Δw).
Appeared in the past papers of: 2006, 2008
- 10Repeated in 2 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
The ratio of heat accepted to the heat rejected by a carnot engine gives :
- AThe efficiency of the working substance✓
- BThe ideal gas scale temperature
- CThe thermal conductivity at the working substance
- DNone of the above
Explanation
The ratio of heat accepted to the heat rejected by a Carnot engine gives the efficiency of the working substance. A Carnot engine is a theoretical heat engine that operates on the reversible Carnot cycle. It consists of two isothermal and two adiabatic processes. The efficiency of a Carnot engine depends only on the temperatures of the hot and cold reservoirs, and is given by the Carnot efficiency formula: Efficiency = 1 - (Temperature of the cold reservoir / Temperature of the hot reservoir) The heat accepted is the heat energy absorbed by the engine from the hot reservoir, and the heat rejected is the heat energy expelled by the engine to the cold reservoir.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2009, 2023
- 11Repeated in 2 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
The heat engine operating in reverse is called:
- AElectric generator
- BRefrigerator✓
- CCarnot engine
- DElectric motor
Explanation
A heat engine operating in reverse is known as a refrigerator. In a heat engine, work is done on the system to extract heat from a colder reservoir and deliver it to a hotter reservoir. In a refrigerator, the process is reversed, where work is done on the system to transfer heat from a colder space (usually the interior of the refrigerator) to a hotter external environment. Therefore, option b is correct.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2010, 2023
- 12Repeated in 2 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
The first law of thermodynamics is a statement which implies that:
- ANo heat enters or leaves the system
- BThe temperature remains constant
- CAll work is mechanical
- DEnergy is conserved✓
Appeared in the past papers of: 2012, 2013
- 13Repeated in 2 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
The internal energy of a fixed case of an ideal gas depends on:
- APressure, but not volume or temperature
- BTemperature, but not pressure or volume✓
- CVolume, but not pressure or temperature
- DPressure and temperature, but not volume
Explanation
In an ideal gas the inter-molecular collisions are assumed to be absent and the collisions are perfectly elastic, thus, the gas only possesses kinetic energy and hence the internal energy of the ideal gas only depends on temperature,hence the answer will be B.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2013, 2014
- 14Repeated in 2 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
A frictionless heat engine can be 100% efficient only its exhaust temperatures is:
- ADouble of its input temperature
- BHalf of its input temperature
- CEqual to its input temperature
- D100%
- E0 K✓
Explanation
The correct answer is 0 Kelvin. The efficiency of a heat engine is given by the equation:η = 1 - T2/T1 where η is the efficiency, T2 is the exhaust temperature, and T1 is the input temperature. For a heat engine to be 100% efficient, the exhaust temperature (T2) must be 0 Kelvin. This is because the efficiency equation approaches 1 (or 100%) as T2 approaches 0. None of the other options reach 100% efficiency because their exhaust temperatures are not low enough to maximize the efficiency ratio.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2013, 2016
- 15Repeated in 2 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
What is the average translational kinetic energy of molecules in a gas at temperature 27°C?
- A3.23 x 10-21 J
- B4.11 x 10-21 J
- C6.21 × 10-21 J✓
- D7.71. x 107-21 J
- E9.11 x 107-21 J
Explanation
To calculate the average translational kinetic energy of molecules in a gas at a given temperature, we can use the equation:K.E. = (3/2) kTWhere K.E. is the average translational kinetic energy, k is the Boltzmann constant (approximately 1.38 x 10^-23 J/K), and T is the temperature in Kelvin.Given that the temperature is 27°C, we need to convert it to Kelvin by adding 273.15:T = 27°C + 273.15 = 300.15 KSubstituting the values into the equation:K.E. = (3/2) * (1.38 x 10^-23 J/K) * (300.15 K)= 6.21 x 10-21 JTherefore, the average translational kinetic energy of molecules in the gas at a temperature of 27°C is approximately 6.21 x 10-21 J.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2014, 2015
- 16Repeated in 2 yearsHeat and Thermodynamics
The turbine in a steam power takes steam from a boiler at 427°C and exhaust into a low temperature reservoir at 77°C. What is the maximum possible efficiency?
- A10%
- B20%
- C30%
- D50%✓
- E70%
Explanation
The maximum theoretical efficiency of a system operating as a heat engine is given by the Carnot efficiency, which is determined by the temperatures of the hot and cold reservoirs. The formula is η=1−Tc/Th, where Tc is the cold reservoir temperature and Th is the hot reservoir temperature, both in Kelvin. For this problem, convert the given temperatures from Celsius to Kelvin: Tc = 77°C + 273 = 350K and Th = 427°C + 273 = 700K. Substituting these into the formula gives η=1−350/700 = 0.50, or 50% when expressed as a percentage.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2014, 2015