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A-LevelPhysicsIdeal gases9702/42 · May/June 2018 · Q210 Marks

Use one of the assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases to explain why the potential energy of the molecules of an ideal gas is zero.

  1. (a)Use one of the assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases to explain why the potential energy of the molecules of an ideal gas is zero.[1]
  2. (b)(i)The average translational kinetic energy E_K of a molecule of an ideal gas is given by the expression E_K = ½m⟨c²⟩ = ³⁄₂kT where m is the mass of a molecule and k is the Boltzmann constant. State the meaning of the symbol ⟨c²⟩,[1]
  3. (b)(ii)T.[1]
  4. (c)(i)1.A cylinder of constant volume 4.7 × 10⁴ cm³ contains an ideal gas at pressure 2.6 × 10⁵ Pa and temperature 173°C. The gas is heated. The thermal energy transferred to the gas is 2900 J. The final temperature and pressure of the gas are T and p, as illustrated in Fig. 2.1. Calculate the number N of molecules in the cylinder,[3]
  5. (c)(i)2.the increase in average kinetic energy of a molecule during the heating process.[1]
  6. (c)(ii)Use your answer in (i) part 2 to determine the final temperature T, in kelvin, of the gas in the cylinder.[3]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [B1] no intermolecular forces (so no potential energy)
  2. [B1] mean square speed (of molecule(s))
  3. [B1] kelvin/thermodynamic/absolute temperature
  4. [C1] pV = NkT
  5. [C1] 4.7 x 10⁻² x 2.6 × 10⁵ = N × 1.38 × 10⁻²³ × 446
  6. or
  7. pV = nRT and N = nNA
  8. [C1] 4.7 x 10⁻² x 2.6 × 10⁵ = n x 8.31 × 446
  9. [C1] n = 3.3 (mol)
  10. [A1] N = 3.3 x 6.02 × 10²³ or N = 2.0 x 10²⁴
  11. [A1] average increase = 2900 / (2.0 × 10²⁴) = 1.5 × 10⁻²¹ J
  12. [C1] ΔΕΚ = (3/2)k (Δ)Τ
  13. [C1] 1.5 × 10⁻²¹ = (3/2) × 1.38 × 10⁻²³ × (Δ)Τ
  14. [A1] (Δ)Τ in range 70–72 K
  15. T = 173 + 273 + 70 = 520 K

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About this question

Topic
Ideal gases, A-Level Physics (syllabus 9702). Structured question, 10 marks.
Source
A-Level Physics, May/June 2018 Paper 4 Variant 2, question 2.

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