Nursing Elites

1. The specific heat capacity of tin is 217 J/(g°C). Which of these materials would require about twice as much heat as tin to increase the temperature of a sample by 1°C?

• A. Copper [0.3844 J/(g°C)]
• B. Iron [0.449 J/(g°C)]
• C. Gold [0.1291 J/(g°C)]
• D. Aluminum [0.904 J/(g°C)]

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Aluminum. The specific heat capacity of aluminum is 0.904 J/(g°C), which is approximately 4 times that of tin. For a material to require about twice as much heat as tin to increase the temperature by 1°C, it should have a specific heat capacity roughly double that of tin. Therefore, aluminum fits this criterion better than the other options. Gold has a much lower specific heat capacity than tin, so it would require less, not more, heat to increase the temperature by 1°C. Copper and Iron also have specific heat capacities lower than tin, making them incorrect choices for requiring twice as much heat as tin.

2. According to the Clausius inequality, for a cyclic process involving heat transfer between a system and its surroundings at a single constant temperature (T), the following inequality must hold true:

• A. There is no relationship between heat transfer and temperature in a cyclic process.
• B. ∫ dQ/T ≥ 0
• C. ∫ Q/T = constant
• D. ∫ dQ/T ≤ 0

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The Clausius inequality states that for a cyclic process involving heat transfer at a single constant temperature, the integral of heat transfer divided by temperature (∫ dQ/T) must be less than or equal to zero. This inequality reflects the irreversibility of natural processes. Choice A is incorrect as there is a direct relationship between heat transfer and temperature in the Clausius inequality. Choice B is incorrect because the integral of dQ/T must be less than or equal to zero, not greater than or equal to zero. Choice C is incorrect because the integral of Q/T is not a constant in a cyclic process involving heat transfer at a single constant temperature.

3. Why are boats more buoyant in salt water than in fresh water?

• A. Salt decreases the mass of the boats.
• B. Salt increases the volume of the water.
• C. Salt affects the density of the boats.
• D. Salt increases the density of the water.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Salt increases the density of water, making saltwater more buoyant than freshwater. The higher density of saltwater provides more lift to a boat, enabling it to float more easily compared to in freshwater. Choice A is incorrect because salt does not affect the mass of the boats. Choice B is incorrect as salt does not increase the volume of water. Choice C is incorrect since salt affects the density of water, not the boats themselves. Therefore, the correct answer is that salt increases the density of the water, resulting in boats being more buoyant in salt water than in fresh water.

4. What is the main difference between a reversible and irreversible process in thermodynamics?

• A. Reversible processes involve heat transfer, while irreversible processes do not.
• B. Reversible processes occur instantaneously, while irreversible processes take time.
• C. Reversible processes can be run in both directions with the same outcome, while irreversible processes cannot.
• D. Reversible processes violate the first law of thermodynamics.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A reversible process is an idealized process that can be reversed without leaving any change in either the system or the surroundings. In contrast, irreversible processes cannot be reversed and often involve entropy production or dissipation. Choice A is incorrect because both reversible and irreversible processes can involve heat transfer. Choice B is incorrect as the speed of a process does not determine its reversibility. Choice D is incorrect because reversible processes do not violate the first law of thermodynamics; they comply with it by maintaining a balance between energy inputs and outputs. Therefore, the correct answer is C, as it accurately captures the main difference between reversible and irreversible processes in thermodynamics.

5. Which substance would be most affected by a change in temperature?

• A. Liquid nitrogen
• B. Salt crystals
• C. Hydrogen gas
• D. Iron filings

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Hydrogen gas would be most affected by a change in temperature because gases have a greater expansion or contraction in volume with changes in temperature compared to liquids or solids. When the temperature of hydrogen gas increases, its molecules gain kinetic energy and move faster, causing the gas to expand and its volume to increase. Conversely, when the temperature decreases, the gas molecules lose kinetic energy and move slower, leading to a decrease in volume. This property makes hydrogen gas highly sensitive to temperature changes compared to liquid nitrogen, salt crystals, or iron filings. Liquid nitrogen, salt crystals, and iron filings are less affected by temperature changes because their particles are closer together and have lower kinetic energy, resulting in minimal volume changes with temperature fluctuations.

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