AP PHYSICS 2 Test Booklet

Physics Test Y3

A closed chamber filled with a gas that is modeled as ideal has a movable piston of area A. The graph above of pressure P
as a function of volume V shows three processes that make up cycle XYZX through which the gas is taken. Process ZX is
isothermal.

1. During which process is the amount of work done on the gas equal to the amount of energy that the gas exchanges
with its surroundings through heating or cooling?
(A) XY
(B) YZ
(C) ZX
None of the processes; the amount of work done on the gas is always greater than the amount of energy that
(D)
the gas exchanges with its surroundings through heating or cooling.

2. During which process is no work done on or by the gas?

(A) XY
(B) YZ
(C) ZX
(D) Work was done on or by the gas during every process

3.

The graph above shows the pressure as a function of volume for a sample of gas that is taken from state X to state Y
at constant temperature. Which of the following indicates the sign of the work done on the gas, and whether thermal
energy is absorbed or released by the gas during this process?

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Work done Thermal energy

(A)
Positive Absorbed

Work done Thermal energy

(B)
Positive Released

Work done Thermal energy

(C)
Negative Absorbed

Work done Thermal energy

(D)
Negative Released

A gas is taken from state i to state f along the two-step process shown in the PV diagram above.

4. How much work is done on the gas during the process described?
(A) 0 J
(B) 2000 J
(C) 4000 J
(D) 8000 J
(E) 16,000 J

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5. What is the ratio Tf /Ti of the temperature of state f to the temperature of state i ?
(A) 1
(B) 4/3
(C) 3/2
(D) 2
(E) 4

A monatomic ideal gas is initially in state A, as shown in the PV diagram above. The gas undergoes a transition from state
A by the three different processes shown, where process III is isothermal.

6. Positive work is performed on the gas in which of the following processes?

(A) I only
(B) III only
(C) I and II only
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III

7. A gas undergoes an expansion in which 400 J of energy is added to the gas by heating. The internal energy of the
gas changes from 700 J to 800 J. The work done by the gas is
(A) 1,900 J
(B) 1,100 J
(C) 500 J
(D) 300 J
(E) 100 J

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8. A partially evacuated vertical cylindrical container is covered by a circular lid that makes an airtight seal. The
pressure in the room surrounding the container is 1.01 × 105 N/m2, and the pressure inside the container is 0.41 ×
105 N/m2. The lid has radius 0.20 m and weight 200 N. The minimum upward applied force required to lift the lid is
most nearly
(A) 7.5 × 103 N
(B) 7.7 × 103 N
(C) 1.3 × 104 N
(D) 1.8 × 104 N

9. One mole of an ideal gas undergoes an isobaric expansion. Which of the following graphs of volume as a function
of temperature in kelvin could represent this process?

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

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10.

A sample of gas is confined in a cylinder with a moveable piston of mass that is initially held fixed. There is a
block of mass on top of the piston, as shown in the figure. A free-body diagram for the block is also shown,
which includes the normal force exerted on the block by the piston and the weight of the block. The
upward force that the gas exerts on the piston has magnitude . What is the acceleration of the block
immediately after the piston is released?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

11.

One mole of an ideal gas is sealed in a cylindrical container with a movable piston. The volume and pressure of the
gas are recorded as the gas is taken through process , as shown in the graph. Which of the following
features of the graph, if any, is equivalent to the amount of work done on the gas during the complete cycle?

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(A) The slope of the line

(B) The area under the line
(C) The area bound by the triangle
(D) The average slope of the lines , , and

12.

A sample of gas is confined in a cylinder with a piston that moves with negligible friction. There is a block on top
of the piston, and the piston is at rest. Which of the following makes a Newton’s-third-law force pair with the force
that the block exerts on the piston?
(A) The force exerted on the piston by the gas inside the cylinder
(B) The gravitational force exerted on the block
(C) The force exerted on the block by the piston
(D) The force exerted on the gas inside the cylinder by the piston

A sample of an ideal gas is taken through the cycle abca, as shown in the PV diagram above.

13. If 1000 J of heat is added to the gas during process ab, what is the change in internal energy of the gas for process
ab ?

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(A) -2000 J
(B) -1000 J
(C) 0J
(D) +1000 J
(E) +2000 J

14. A sample of an ideal gas with initial volume is compressed isothermally until its volume is . Which of the
following claims is correct about the transfer of energy by heating and the work done on the gas?

Energy Transferred by Heating Work Done on the Gas

(A)
Into the gas Negative

Energy Transferred by Heating Work Done on the Gas

(B)
Into the gas Positive

Energy Transferred by Heating Work Done on the Gas

(C)
Out of the gas Negative

Energy Transferred by Heating Work Done on the Gas

(D)
Out of the gas Positive

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Students perform an experiment to determine the relationship between the pressure and temperature of an ideal gas. They
have a flask with a stopper through which a syringe and a pressure sensor are inserted, as shown in the figure. The flask is
in a water bath whose temperature can be adjusted. There is a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the water.

15.

The students fix the plunger in place and take measurements of temperature and pressure. They graph the data and
draw a best-fit line, as shown. Which of the following is equal to the slope of the line?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

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A sealed cylinder with a movable piston contains molecules of an ideal gas. The gas is initially in the state with
pressure and volume shown on the graph of pressure as a function of volume . The gas is then taken through
the two processes shown.

16. Which of the following correctly describes the change in average speed of the molecules, if any, as the gas is taken
through each process?

Process 1 Process 2
(A)
It increases. It increases.

Process 1 Process 2
(B)
It increases. It remains the same.

Process 1 Process 2
(C)
It decreases. It increases.

Process 1 Process 2
(D)
It decreases. It remains the same.

17. How much energy is exchanged between the system and its surroundings by heating as the gas is taken through the
two processes, and is the energy added to or removed from the gas?

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(A) added
(B) removed
(C) added
(D) removed

18. An ideal gas is sealed in an insulated container with a movable piston. What happens to the temperature of the gas
as it is compressed?
(A) The temperature remains constant.
(B) The temperature increases.
(C) The temperature decreases.
What happens to the temperature cannot be determined without knowing the initial pressure and volume of
(D)
the gas.

19. A sample of gas has a temperature of 200 K. If the speed of every gas molecule in the sample is doubled, what is the
new temperature of the gas?
(A) 800 K
(B) 400 K
(C) 200 K
(D) 100 K

20. An ideal gas in a closed container of variable volume experiences an increase in temperature while the pressure
remains unchanged. What happens to the average kinetic energy of the molecules and the volume of the gas as the
temperature increases?

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Average Kinetic Energy Volume

(A)
Decreases. Volume Remains unchanged

Average Kinetic Energy Volume

(B)
Decreases Increases

Average Kinetic Energy: Remains unchanged. Volume: Increases

Average Kinetic Energy Volume

(C)
Remains unchanged Increases

Average Kinetic Energy Volume

(D)
Increases Remains unchanged

Average Kinetic Energy Volume

(E)
Increases Increases

A monatomic ideal gas in a sealed container is taken from state to state through intermediate states and , as
shown in the above graph of pressure as a function of volume .

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21. The internal energy of the gas in state is the same as that in which other state?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D) None of the other states

22.

An ideal gas is taken through the cycle shown on the above graph of pressure as a function of volume . Process
is isothermal. Which of the following correctly describes the change in the temperature of the gas as it is taken
from state to state and then to state ?

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to to
(A)
Decreases Increases

to to
(B)
Decreases Decreases

to to
(C)
Increases Increases

to to
(D)
Increases Decreases

23. A student writes the following information for a process that involves a fixed quantity of ideal gas.

W = −PΔV

ΔU = Q + W

P = 2.0x105 Pa

ΔV = - 2.0x10-3 m3

ΔU = - 600J

Which of the following descriptions best represents the process?

(A) The gas expands at a constant pressure of 200 kPa.
(B) The gas is cooled at constant volume until its pressure falls to 200 kPa.
(C) The gas is compressed at a constant pressure of 200 kPa.
(D) The gas is heated and its pressure increases at constant volume.

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A gas is confined in a closed container with a movable piston. The container is kept in a hot water bath. Blocks of
different known masses are placed on top of the piston one at a time, and the gas is allowed to come to equilibrium. The
pressure and volume of the gas are recorded each time.

24. When a block is placed on the piston, the volume of the gas goes from to ,
while the pressure goes from to . If the surface area of the piston is ,
the energy transferred to the gas due to the compression is most nearly
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

25.

A student heats a sample of gas in a cylinder with a movable piston and a pressure gauge. The student measures the
volume and pressure of the gas as the gas is heated. The student’s data is plotted in the graph above. Which of the
following gives the best estimate of the work done by the gas on its surroundings during the motion of the piston?

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(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

26.

Two moles of a monatomic ideal gas are enclosed in a cylinder by a movable piston. The gas is taken through the
thermodynamic cycle shown in the figure above. The piston has a cross sectional area of
5 × 10-3 m2

a. i. Calculate the force that the gas exerts on the piston in state A, and explain how the collisions of
the gas atoms with the piston allow the gas to exert a force on the piston.

ii. Calculate the temperature of the gas in state B, and indicate the microscopic property of the gas
that is characterized by the temperature.

b. i. Predict qualitatively how the internal energy of the gas changes as it is taken from state A to
state B. Justify your prediction.

ii. Calculate the energy added to the gas by heating as it is taken from state A to state C along the
path ABC.

c. Determine the change in the total kinetic energy of the gas atoms as the gas is taken directly from state C
to state A.

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27. This question is a short free-response question. Show your work for each part of the question. (10 points,
suggested time 15 minutes)

A sample of an ideal gas can be taken through the two cycles shown in the graphs above of pressure as a
function of volume . In each cycle the gas starts and ends in state . The gas is contained in a cylindrical
container with a movable piston.

(a) Rank the temperature of the gas for each labeled state in cycle X. Clearly indicate the order of ranking and if
any states have the same temperature. Justify your ranking using information from the graph.

(b) Calculate the net work on the gas during cycle X. Justify your answer.

(c) Given that the net change in internal energy for a closed cycle is zero, determine whether energy is added to
the gas by heating or removed by cooling in each cycle. Support your claim in a coherent paragraph-length
response that qualitatively compares the amounts of energy added to the gas by heating or removed by cooling in
the two cycles and refers to the work done on the gas and the change in internal energy of the gas.

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28. This question is a short free-response question. Show your work for each part of the question. (10 points,
suggested time 15 minutes)

A sample of an ideal gas can be taken through the two cycles shown in the graphs above of pressure as a
function of volume . In each cycle the gas starts and ends in state . The gas is contained in a cylindrical
container with a movable piston.

(a) Rank the temperature of the gas for each labeled state in cycle . Clearly indicate the order of ranking and if
any states have the same temperature. Justify your ranking using information from the graph.

(b) Calculate the net work on the gas during cycle . Justify your answer.

(c) Given that the net change in internal energy for a closed cycle is zero, determine whether energy is added to
the gas by heating or removed by cooling in each cycle. Support your claim in a coherent paragraph-length
response that qualitatively compares the amounts of energy added to the gas by heating or removed by cooling in
the two cycles and refers to the work done on the gas and the change in internal energy of the gas.

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