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A-LevelPhysicsThermodynamicsFeb/Mar 2017Paper 1 Q171 Mark

A gas is enclosed inside a cylinder which is fitted with a frictionless piston. [Figure showing a piston in a cylinder with gas, initial volume V₁, external pressure p, final volume V₂] Initially, the gas has a volume V₁ and is in equilibrium with the external pressure p. The gas is then heated slowly so that it expands at constant pressure, pushing the piston back until the volume of the gas has increased to V₂. How much work is done by the gas during this expansion?

Ap (V₂ - V₁)
B½ p (V₂ - V₁)
Cp (V₂ + V₁)
D½ p (V₂ + V₁)

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The correct answer is A. This question tests the candidate's understanding of thermodynamics within the Physicssyllabus. The examiner's mark scheme requires...

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Common mistake: 62% of candidates selected the distractor because they confused... The examiner specifically designed this question to test whether students can differentiate between... To secure full marks, candidates must demonstrate...

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About This A-Level Physics Question

This multiple-choice question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Physics (9702) Feb/Mar 2017 examination, Paper 1 Variant 2. It tests the topic of Thermodynamics and is worth 1 mark.

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