Single correct option
One mole of a monatomic ideal gas undergoes the cycle in the – plane: at constant volume, at constant pressure, and along a straight line. The efficiency of the cycle, defined as net work divided by the total heat absorbed, is
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
Show answer and solution
Answer: (A)
Net work is the area of triangle : . Heat in (isochoric): . Heat in (isobaric): . On the line is , so and with . The gas is compressed along , so throughout: heat is rejected there and does not count as input. Total heat absorbed is , hence . Including wrongly or using the wrong gives the other values. Always check the sign of along a curved or inclined process before adding heats, because only the heat absorbed counts in the denominator of the efficiency of a cycle, and the cycle's net work equals the net heat exchanged.
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