Theme B: The particulate nature of matter

IB Physics B.4 Thermodynamics: practice questions and video explanations

The first and second laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamic processes on pV diagrams, entropy and the efficiency of heat engines.

HL only

What you need to know for B.4 Thermodynamics

  • Apply the first law of thermodynamics to a gas
  • Analyse isovolumetric, isobaric, isothermal and adiabatic processes
  • Calculate work done from the area under a pV diagram
  • Use entropy and the second law of thermodynamics
  • Find the efficiency of cyclic heat engines and the Carnot cycle

B.4 Thermodynamics questions in the question bank

Exam-style questions
27
Multiple choice (Paper 1A style)
26
Structured (Paper 1B and 2 style)
1
Free to try
10

Every question has a mark scheme. Multiple-choice answers are marked instantly, and for structured questions you open the mark scheme part by part and award yourself the marks you earned. Most questions also have a step-by-step video explanation presented by an IB teacher or a former IB student.

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Practise B.4 (HL)

Try a free B.4 Thermodynamics question

Real questions from the question bank. Choose an answer and check it, then see the mark scheme and the video explanation.

Free question · 1 of 5Topic B.4Paper 1 styleEasy
The internal energy of a real gas is
Choose your answer

More from theme B: The particulate nature of matter

Full practice papers

When you have practised by topic, sit a full SL or HL mock exam with Paper 1A, Paper 1B and Paper 2, or see every IB Physics topic.