Exam-style question
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In the context of the first law of thermodynamics, which of the following correctly distinguishes between heat supplied, work done, and internal energy change?.
- A.Heat supplied increases internal energy, while work done decreases it.
- B.Heat supplied and work done both increase internal energy.
- C.Work done on a system increases internal energy, while heat supplied can do either.
- D.Heat supplied is always equal to work done.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Work done on a system increases internal energy, while heat supplied can do either.
Explanation
Why this works
In thermodynamics, work done on a system increases its internal energy, while heat supplied can either increase or decrease internal energy depending on the process. This distinction is crucial for analyzing energy transfers.
Common mistake
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