BoardPhysics

Kinetic Theory

6 Board Physics previous year questions on Kinetic Theory — options free on every question; 1 include the answer & explanation free, the rest unlock with PYQ Pass.

Q1 FREE PREVIEW
PYQ

For a diatomic gas:

  • Let \({\gamma }_{1}=\frac{{C}_{p}}{{C}_{v}}\) for a rigid molecule (without vibrational modes).
  • Let \({\gamma }_{2}=\frac{{C}_{p}}{{C}_{v}}\)​​ for a diatomic molecule with vibrational modes included.

Determine the relationship between \({\gamma }_{1}\)​ and \({\gamma }_{2}\)​.

(Shift II Memory Based)​

a

\({\gamma }_{2}<{\gamma }_{1}\)​

b

\({\gamma }_{2}>{\gamma }_{1}\)​

c

\({\gamma }_{2}={\gamma }_{1}\)​

d

\({\gamma }_{2}=2{\gamma }_{1}\)​

✓ Correct answer: a)

\({\gamma }_{2}<{\gamma }_{1}\)​

ExplanationKey Concepts:
  1. Degrees of Freedom:

    • A rigid diatomic molecule has 5 degrees of freedom (3 translational + 2 rotational).
    • A diatomic molecule with vibrational modes has additional vibrational degrees of freedom.
  2. Specific Heats (\({C}_{v}\)​ and \({C}_{p}\)):

    • The internal energy is proportional to the degrees of freedom. For a rigid diatomic gas: \({C}_{v}=\frac{5R}{2}\)​
    • When vibrational modes are included, the total degrees of freedom increase. Each vibrational mode adds \(2R\), making: \({C}_{v}=\frac{5R}{2}+2R=\frac{9R}{2}\)​
    • \({C}_{p}\)​ is related to \({C}_{v}\) by: \({C}_{p}={C}_{v}+R\)
  3. Adiabatic Index (\(\gamma\)γ):

    • The adiabatic index \(\gamma\)γ is defined as: \(\gamma =\frac{{C}_{p}}{{C}_{v}}=1+\frac{R}{{C}_{v}}\)​
    • For the rigid diatomic gas: \({\gamma }_{1}=\frac{{C}_{p}}{{C}_{v}}=\frac{\frac{7R}{2}}{\frac{5R}{2}}=\frac{7}{5}=1.4\)
    • For the diatomic gas with vibrational modes: \({\gamma }_{2}=\frac{{C}_{p}}{{C}_{v}}=\frac{\frac{11R}{2}}{\frac{9R}{2}}=\frac{11}{9}\approx 1.22\)
Step 2: Compare \({\gamma }_{1}\)​ and \({\gamma }_{2}\)​

Clearly, \({\gamma }_{2}<{\gamma }_{1}\) because the inclusion of vibrational modes increases \({C}_{v}\)​ more significantly than \({C}_{p}\), leading to a smaller \(\gamma\).

Final Answer:

(A) \({\gamma }_{2}<{\gamma }_{1}\)​

Q2
PYQ

For a diatomic gas, if \({\gamma }_{1}=\left(\frac{Cp}{Cv}\right)\) for rigid molecules and \({\gamma }_{2}=\left(\frac{Cp}{Cv}\right)\) for another diatomic molecules, but also having vibrational modes. Then, which one of the following options is correct ? (Cp and Cv are specific heats of the gas at constant pressure and volume)

[JEE Main 2025, 22 Jan (Shift 2)]

a

\({\gamma }_{2}={\gamma }_{1}\)

b

\(2{\gamma }_{2}={\gamma }_{1}\)

c

\({\gamma }_{2}<{\gamma }_{1}\)

d

\({\gamma }_{2}>{\gamma }_{1}\)

🔒
Answer & explanation — PYQ Pass

Options are free to see. Unlock the correct answer and full explanation with Pass.

Unlock · ₹149
Q3
PYQ

The translational kinetic energy of molecules of \(50 \mathrm{~g} \quad\mathrm{of}\quad \mathrm{CO}_2\) gas at \(17^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) is:

(Shift - II Memory Based)

a

6300 J

b

5250 J

c

4110 J

d

2500 J

🔒
Answer & explanation — PYQ Pass

Options are free to see. Unlock the correct answer and full explanation with Pass.

Unlock · ₹149
Q4
PYQ

A flask contains Hydrogen and Argon in the ratio 2 : 1 by mass. The temperature of the mixture is 30°C. The ratio of average kinetic energy per molecule of the two gases

(Kargon / Khydrogen) is: (Given: Atomic Weight of Ar = 39.9)

a

1

b

2

c

\(\frac{39.9}{2}\)

d

39.9

🔒
Answer & explanation — PYQ Pass

Options are free to see. Unlock the correct answer and full explanation with Pass.

Unlock · ₹149
Q5
PYQ

A container has two chambers of volumes \({\mathrm{V}}_{1}=2\) litres and \({\mathrm{V}}_{2}=3\) litres separated by a partition made of a thermal insulator. The chambers contains \({\mathrm{n}}_{1}=5\) and \({\mathrm{n}}_{2}=4\) moles of ideal gas at pressures \({\mathrm{p}}_{1}=1\mathrm{atm}\) and \({\mathrm{p}}_{2}=2\mathrm{atm}\), respectively. When the partition is removed, the mixture attains an equilibrium presšure of :

a

\(1.4\mathrm{atm}\)

b

\(1.8\mathrm{atm}\)

c

\(1.3\mathrm{atm}\)

d

\(1.6\mathrm{atm}\)

🔒
Answer & explanation — PYQ Pass

Options are free to see. Unlock the correct answer and full explanation with Pass.

Unlock · ₹149
Q6
PYQ

A cylinder contains hydrogen gas at pressure of \( 249 \mathrm{kPa} \) and temperature \( 27^{\circ} \mathrm{C} \). Its density is \( :\left(\mathrm{R}=8.3 \mathrm{~J} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1} \mathrm{~K}^{-1}\right) \)

a

\( 0.2 \mathrm{~kg} / \mathrm{m}^{3} \)

b

\( 0.1 \mathrm{~kg} / \mathrm{m}^{3} \)

c

\( 0.02 \mathrm{~kg} / \mathrm{m}^{3} \)

d

\( 0.5 \mathrm{~kg} / \mathrm{m}^{3} \)

🔒
Answer & explanation — PYQ Pass

Options are free to see. Unlock the correct answer and full explanation with Pass.

Unlock · ₹149

Practice more Board Physics PYQs

Browse every Physics chapter, or explore the full Board question bank.

All Physics chapters →