plumiFirst law of thermodynamics: AQA A‑Level Physics questions
AQA A-Level Physics past-paper questions on 3.11.2.1 First law of thermodynamics, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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Q03.4
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All 16 questions on First law of thermodynamics, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q03.4 (3 marks): Complete Table 2 for each process and for the whole cycle. [3 marks] Table 2 Q / J W / J ΔU / J Process A → B −253 Process B → C 473 Process C → A −253 Whole cy
- June 2024, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q04.1 (2 marks): The first law of thermodynamics can be expressed by the equation Q = ΔU + W. State the meaning of each term in this equation. [2 marks] Q ΔU W
- June 2024, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q04.2 (3 marks): A system consists of a perfectly insulated room containing only an empty refrigerator. The refrigerator is connected to the mains electricity and the refrigerat
- June 2023, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q03.1 (1 mark): The first law of thermodynamics can be written as: Q = ΔU + W State what Q represents in this equation. [1 mark]
- June 2023, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q03.2 (1 mark): The work done on the air when it is compressed is 10.8 mJ. Which row is correct for this adiabatic compression? Tick () one box. [1 mark] W / mJ Q / mJ ΔU / mJ
- November 2020, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q04.1 (1 mark): Which row in Table 3 shows • Process 1 in which work done is zero, and • Process 2 in which the change in internal energy is zero? Tick () one box. [1 mark] Ta
- June 2019, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q03.3 (2 marks): An ideal engine based on this cycle uses a device called an economiser. The economiser stores all the energy transferred in the cooling process D → A and gives
- June 2019, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q03.4 (2 marks): Explain why W is equal to Q in process A → B and in process C → D. [2 marks]
- June 2018, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q03.3 (2 marks): The first law of thermodynamics can be written as Q = ΔU + W State the meaning of the terms Q and ΔU in this equation. [2 marks] Q ΔU
- June 2018, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q03.4 (2 marks): For the air in process 5 → 1 in Figure 4, ΔU = –374 J Calculate the energy that must be removed by cooling for process 5 → 1. [2 marks] energy removed by coolin
- Specimen, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q03.1 (3 marks): A single-cylinder air motor running on compressed air has the theoretical indicator diagram shown in Figure 4. • From B to C the high-pressure air pushes a pist
- June 2016, PHYA5 Applied physics (old spec), Q3(c) (3 marks): Work is done by the air pocket as it expands against the surrounding air. Explain, with reference to the first law of thermodynamics, why the temperature of the
- June 2014, PHYA5 Applied physics (old spec), Q3(b) (3 marks): Complete Table 1. Apply the first law of thermodynamics to determine values of Q, W and ΔU for each process and for the whole cycle. Use a consistent sign conve
- June 2012, PHYA5 Applied physics (old spec), Q1(b) (2 marks): The work needed to compress the air adiabatically from 2.1 × 10–5 m3 to 1.2 × 10–5 m3 is 1.4J. Use the first law of thermodynamics to determine the change in in
- June 2011, PHYA5 Applied physics (old spec), Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): Apply the first law of thermodynamics to calculate the energy supplied by heat transfer in process C ’ D. answer = J (2 marks)
- June 2008, PHA7W (2008 spec), Q3(b) (5 marks): 3 (b) Figure 2 shows part of an ideal Diesel engine cycle in which a constant mass of air is compressed adiabatically, A → B, and is then heated at constant pre
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