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A-LevelPhysicsThermodynamicsMay/June 2013Paper 1 Q181 Mark

A gas is enclosed inside a cylinder which is fitted with a frictionless piston. [Figure showing a cylinder with a piston, gas inside, external pressure p] Initially, the gas has a volume V₁ and is in equilibrium with an external pressure p. The gas is then heated slowly so that it expands, 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)
B1/2 p(V2 - V₁)
Cp(V2 + V₁)
D1/2 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) May/June 2013 examination, Paper 1 Variant 2. It tests the topic of Thermodynamics and is worth 1 mark.

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