Krishna Engineering College, Ghaziabad

Department of Mechanical Engineering

MODULE-1
INTERVIEW RELATED QUESTIONS

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS

1. Define thermodynamics.
The branch of physical science that deals with the relations between heat
and other forms of energy (such as mechanical, electrical, or chemical
energy), and, by extension, of the relationships between all forms of
energy.

2. What is microscopic approach in thermodynamics?

In microscopic approach, thermodynamic properties are considered at the
molecular level. This approach is also called as statistical
thermodynamics.

3. Define thermodynamic property.

Thermodynamic property is a point fuction. It defines the state of a
system. It is independent of the path followed. Pressure, temperature ,
speccific volume etc are thermodynamics property.

4. Define extensive property.

The properties which are dependent on the mass of the system are called
extensive properties. Example: Total energy, Total volume, weight etc.

5. Define intensive Property.

The property whose value is independent of the size or extent of the
system. They are not additive. eg: pressure, temperature, density,
viscosity, refractive index, surface tension, specific heat, etc

6. Differentiate between point function and Path function.

The quantities which are independent on the process or path followed by
the system is known as point functions. Example: Pressure, volume,
temperature, etc.,
The quantities which are dependent on the process or path followed by
the system is known as path functions. Example: Heat transfer, work
transfer.

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7. Define Thermodynamic Equilibrium.
A system will be in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium, if the
conditions for the following three types of equilibrium are satisfied. (a)
Mechanical equilibrium (b) Thermal equilibrium (c) Chemical
equilibrium
8. Define Thermal Equillibrium.
A system is said to be in thermal equilibrium if no heat flows from one
part of the system to another, i.e., when temperature remains constant
throughout in all parts of the system.
9. Define Mechanical equilibrium.
When no mechanical work is done by one part of the system on another
part, the system is said to be in mechanical equilibrium. It is possible only
when pressure remains the same throughout in all the portions of the
system.
10.Define Chemical equilibrium.
when the chemical composition of a system does not change with time,
i.e., no chemical reactions occur.
11.Define state , path process & Cycle.
State: A system is said to be exist in a definite state if all the properties of
the system (pressure, temperature, volume etc,) have fixed values. If any
one of the property changes, the system changes to another state.
Example: At 1 atm pressure and 10 degree centigrade water is in solid
state (mixed state)
At 1 atm pressure and 110 degree centigrade it is vapour state.

Path: The series of states passed through by the system during a change
from one equilibrium state to another.

Process: When the path followed by system during change from one
equilibrium state to another is completely specified (initial and final
conditions, interactions with surroundings) it is called process.

Cycle: Thermodynamics cycle is a process in which initial and final

conditions are same.

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12.Define system, surroundings & Boundary.

In a thermodynamic analysis, the system is the subject of the investigation. A

boundary is a closed surface surrounding a system through which energy and
mass may enter or leave the system. Everything external to the system is the
surroundings.

13. Define open, closed and isolated system.

Open System: It is a system in which both mass interaction as well

as energy interaction takes place. Ex: Water flowing in a pipeline line.
{Mass and K.E of water}

Closed System: It is a system in which there is only energy interaction takes

place but not mass interaction. Ex: SUN, A reaction taking place in a closed
metallic vessel , Boiler

Isolated Systems: It is a system in which neither mass interaction nor energy

interaction takes place. Ex: Coffee in a thermos flask.
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14.Define various thermodynamic processes.
Isothermal process: The process in which temperature of the system
remains constant at each stage of the process i.e., dT or ∆T = 0
Exothermic process: The process in which heat is given out to the
surroundings is called exothermic process. In this process, products are
more stable than reactants because they have lower energy.
Endothermic process: The process in which heat is absorbed by the
system from the surroundings. In this process, products are less stable
than reactants because they have higher energy.
Adiabatic process: The process in which no exchange of heat takes place
between system and surroundings, i.e. dq = 0 or q = 0
Isobaric process: The process which takes place at constant pressure is
called an isobaric process, e.g., heating of water to its boiling point and
its vaporization occurs at the same atmospheric pressure.

Isochoric process: The process which is carried out at constant volume is

called isochoric process, i.e., dV or ∆V = O.

15.What do you mean by quasi static process?

In thermodynamics, a quasi-static process is a
thermodynamic process that happens slowly enough for the system to
remain in internal equilibrium.
16.Why quasi static process is important?
Equilibrium in a system in a quasi-static process is established many
times more rapidly than change in the physical parameters of the system.
Quasi-static processes play an important role in thermodynamics, since
thermodynamic cycles including only quasi-static processes yield
maximum work values.

17.Is adiabatic process quasi static?

Yes. An adiabatic process can also be quasi static. One is to make
the process so fast that it does not get time to exchange heat with the
surroundings. For example, the travel of sound waves through a medium
is supposed to be an adiabatic process because the compression
and expansion of wave happens quickly.

18.What is cyclic process?

In a cyclic process, the system starts and returns to the same
thermodynamic state. The net work involved is the enclosed area on the

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 P-V diagram. If the cycle goes clockwise, the system does work. A cyclic
process is the underlying principle for an engine.

19. What is the difference between phase and state?

A phase is a region of space where all physical and chemical properties
are uniform. This means that for example the density, the chemical
composition and the temperature is equal everywhere in the region. This
will also mean that the state of matter (solid, liquid, gas, etc.) is equal
everywhere.

20.Classify the following properties as intensive or extensive or neither a)

Pressure b) Temperature c) Volume d) Internal energy e) Volume per
mole f) Enthalpy per unit mass.
a. Pressure – Intensive property
b. Temperature – Intensive property
c. Volume – Extensive property
d. Internal energy – Extensive property
e. Volume per mole – Intensive property
f. Enthalpy per unit mass - Intensive property

21.Define the Zeroth law of thermodynamics.

Zeroth law of thermodynamics states that when two systems are
separately in thermal equilibrium with a third systems, then they
themselves are in thermal equilibrium with each other. It is a base for
temperature measurement.

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 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
22. Which of the following are intensive properties?
1. Kinetic Energy 2. Specific Enthalpy 3. Pressure 4. Entropy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 3 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) 2 and 4
Ans. (b)
23. List I List II
(A) Heat to work (1) Nozzle
(B) Heat to lift weight (2) Endothermic chemical reaction
(C) Heat to strain energy (3) Heat engine
(D) Heat to electromagnetic energy (4) Hot air balloon/evaporation
(5) Thermal radiation
(6) Bimetallic strips

Ans. (A) -3, (B) -4, (C) -6, (D)-5

24. Which one of the following is the extensive property of a thermodynamic
system?
(a) Volume (b) Pressure (c) Temperature (d) Density
Ans. (a) Extensive property is dependent on mass of system. Thus volume is
extensive property.
25. The following are examples of some intensive and extensive properties:
1. Pressure 2. Temperature
3. Volume 4. Velocity
5. Electric charge 6. Magnetisation
7. Viscosity 8. Potential energy
Which one of the following sets gives the correct combination of intensive and
extensiveproperties?
Intensive Extensive
(a) 1, 2, 3, 4 5, 6, 7, 8
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(b) 1, 3, 5, 7 2, 4, 6, 8
(c) 1, 2, 4, 7 3, 5, 6, 8
(d) 2, 3, 6, 8 1, 4, 5, 7
Ans. (c)
Intensive properties, i.e. independent of mass are pressure, temperature, velocity
and viscosity. Extensive properties, i.e. dependent on mass of system are
volume, electric charge, magnetisation, and potential energy. Thus correct
choice is (c).
26. A closed thermodynamic system is one in which
(a) there is no energy or mass transfer across the boundary
(b) there is no mass transfer, but energy transfer exists
(c) there is no energy transfer, but mass transfer exists
(d) both energy and mass transfer take place across the boundary, but the mass
transfer is controlled by valves
Ans. (b) In closed thermodynamic system, there is no mass transfer but energy
transfer exists.
27. Which of the following are intensive properties?
1. Kinetic energy 2. Thermal conductivity
3. Pressure 4. Entropy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 3 and 4
7. Ans. (b)
28. Which of the following is/are reversible process (es)?
1. Isentropic expansion 2. Slow heating of water from a hot source
3. Constant pressure heating of an ideal gas from a constant temperature source
4. Evaporation of a liquid at constant temperature
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 4

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Ans. (b) Isentropic means reversible adiabatic.
29. An isolated thermodynamic system executes a process, choose the correct
statement(s) form the following
(a) No heat is transferred (b) No work is done
(c) No mass flows across the boundary of the system
(d) No chemical reaction takes place within the system
Ans. (a, b, c) For an isolated system no mass and energy transfer through the
system. dQ 0, dW 0, hence dE 0 or E Constant

30. Two blocks which are at different states are brought into contact with each
other and allowed to reach a final state of thermal equilibrium. The final
temperature attained is specified by the
(a) Zeroth law of thermodynamics (b) First law of thermodynamics
(c) Second law of thermodynamics (d) Third law of thermodynamics
Ans. (a)
31. Zeroth Law of thermodynamics states that
(a) two thermodynamic systems are always in thermal equilibrium with each
other.
(b) if two systems are in thermal equilibrium, then the third system will also be
in thermal equilibrium
(c) two systems not in thermal equilibrium with a third system are also not in
thermal equilibrium with
(d) When two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are
in thermal equilibrium
Ans. (d) Statement at (d) is correct definition of Zeroth law of thermodynamics
32. Which one of the following correctly defines 1 K, as per the internationally
accepted definition of temperature scale?
(a) 1/100th of the difference between normal boiling point and normal freezing
point of water
(b) 1/273.15th of the normal freezing point of water
(c) 100 times the difference between the triple point of water and the normal
freezing point of water
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(d) 1/273.15th of the triple point of water
Ans. (d)
33. Pressure reaches a value of absolute zero
(a) at a temperature of - 273 K (b) under vacuum condition
(c) at the earth's centre (d) when molecular momentum of system becomes zero
Ans. (d)
34. The time constant of a thermocouple is the time taken to attain:
(a) the final value to be measured
(b) 50% of the value of the initial temperature difference
(c) 63.2% of the value of the initial temperature difference
(d) 98.8% of the value of the initial temperature difference
Ans. (c) Time constant of a thermocouple is the time taken to attain 63.2% of
the value of the initial temperature difference.
35. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given
below
the lists:
List I (Parameter) List II (Property)
A. Volume 1.Path function
B. Density 2. Intensive property
C. Pressure 3. Extensive property
D. Work 4. Point function
Codes: A B C D ABCD
(a) 3 2 4 1 (b) 3 2 1 4
(c) 2 3 4 1 (d) 2 3 1 4
Ans. (a)

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