British Physics Olympiad Round 1 (Extracted
Questions: Thermodynamics)
11th November 2022
Section 1 - Extracted Questions (Thermodynamics)
Instructions:
Answers and calculations are to be written on loose paper ON ONE SIDE ONLY. Working,
calculations, explanations, and diagrams must be shown for full credit. The final answer alone
is not sufficient. Writing must be clear. Marks are given for intermediate steps if they can be
seen: underline or circle them so that the marker can find them.
Important Constants:
Constant Symbol Value
Gas constant R 8.3145 J K−1 mol−1
i) (Thermodynamics) An open topped steel drum is completely filled with oil on a day
when the temperature is 5.0◦ C. On a warm day the temperature rises, and 2.4% of the
oil spills out. What is the temperature reached on that day? The volume coefficient
of expansion of oil is 7.0 × 10−4 ◦ C−1 . The linear coefficient of expansion of steel is
1.2 × 10−5 ◦ C−1 . [3]
k) (Thermodynamics) A gas is found to obey the equation relating p,V, n, R, T
( )
−a
p(V − b) = nRT exp
nRTV
where p is the gas pressure, V is its volume, R is the molar gas constant, n is the number
of moles, a and b are constants.
(i) Determine the SI base units (m, kg, s) in which a and b are expressed.
(ii) If b ≪ V and a ≪ nRTV , show that this expression approximates to the ideal gas
equation relating p,V, n, R, T at a particular temperature Tc . Determine Tc in terms
of a, b, n and R. Hint: For x ≪ 1, exp(x) = ex ≈ 1 + x [4]
