CBSE Class 11 Chemistry Chapter-5 Important Questions - Free PDF Download
FAQs on Important Questions for CBSE Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 5 - Thermodynamics
1. What are the most important topics in Thermodynamics Class 11 Chemistry for the CBSE 2025-26 exams?
For the CBSE 2025-26 exams, students should focus on the following high-weightage topics from Thermodynamics:
- First Law of Thermodynamics: Its mathematical expression (ΔU = q + w) and sign conventions.
- Enthalpy (H): The relationship between enthalpy and internal energy (ΔH = ΔU + Δn_gRT), and different types of reaction enthalpies like formation, combustion, and bond enthalpy.
- Hess's Law of Constant Heat Summation: Its statement and application in solving numerical problems.
- Spontaneity: The concepts of entropy (ΔS) and Gibbs free energy (ΔG).
- Gibbs Energy (ΔG): The equation ΔG = ΔH - TΔS and its use in predicting the spontaneity of a reaction.
- Derivations: Proving Cₚ - Cᵥ = R for an ideal gas.
2. How can I score full marks on numerical problems from Thermodynamics?
To score full marks on numericals, follow these steps:
- Identify the correct formula: Read the question carefully to determine if it requires Hess's Law, the Gibbs energy equation, or the relation between ΔH and ΔU.
- Write the formula first: Always start your answer by stating the formula you are using. This often carries marks.
- Check units: Ensure all values are in consistent units before calculating. For example, ΔH is often in kJ/mol while ΔS is in J/K/mol. Convert kJ to J.
- Show clear steps: Write down each step of your calculation. This helps the examiner follow your logic and award partial marks even if the final answer is incorrect.
- State the final answer with units: Clearly mention the final answer with the correct units (e.g., kJ/mol, K).
3. Differentiate between extensive and intensive properties with two examples of each.
An important distinction in thermodynamics is between extensive and intensive properties.
- Extensive Properties: These properties depend on the quantity or size of matter present in the system. Examples include mass, volume, internal energy, and enthalpy. If you double the amount of substance, these properties also double.
- Intensive Properties: These properties are independent of the amount of matter in the system. They are characteristic of the substance itself. Examples include temperature, pressure, density, and molar heat capacity.
4. State the First Law of Thermodynamics and write its standard mathematical expression.
The First Law of Thermodynamics, also known as the Law of Conservation of Energy, states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but it can be transformed from one form to another. The total energy of an isolated system remains constant.
The mathematical expression for the first law is: ΔU = q + w
Where:
- ΔU is the change in the internal energy of the system.
- q is the heat supplied to the system.
- w is the work done on the system.
5. Why is internal energy considered a state function, but work is considered a path function?
This is a crucial conceptual point. Internal energy (U) is a state function because its value depends only on the current state of the system (defined by variables like temperature, pressure, and volume), not on how the system reached that state. The change in internal energy (ΔU) depends only on the initial and final states.
On the other hand, work (w) is a path function because the amount of work done depends on the specific path taken between the initial and final states. For example, expanding a gas can be done in one step or multiple steps, and the work done will be different for each path, even if the initial and final states are identical.
6. Derive the relationship between ΔH and ΔU for a gaseous reaction.
The relationship between enthalpy change (ΔH) and internal energy change (ΔU) is derived as follows:
The definition of enthalpy (H) is: H = U + pV
For a change at constant pressure, the equation becomes: ΔH = ΔU + pΔV
For ideal gases, the ideal gas law is pV = nRT. For a reaction involving gases, we can write:
pΔV = Δn_gRT
Where Δn_g is the change in the number of moles of gaseous products and reactants (moles of gaseous products - moles of gaseous reactants).
Substituting pΔV in the enthalpy equation, we get the final relation:
ΔH = ΔU + Δn_gRT
7. For an ideal gas, prove that Cₚ - Cᵥ = R.
To prove Mayer's relation, Cₚ - Cᵥ = R, we use the definitions of heat capacities and the first law of thermodynamics.
- At constant volume, the heat supplied (qᵥ) increases the internal energy: qᵥ = CᵥΔT = ΔU.
- At constant pressure, the heat supplied (qₚ) increases both internal energy and does work: qₚ = CₚΔT = ΔH.
- We know the relationship between enthalpy and internal energy is: ΔH = ΔU + pΔV.
- For one mole of an ideal gas, pV = RT, so pΔV = RΔT.
- Substituting these values into the enthalpy equation: CₚΔT = CᵥΔT + RΔT.
- Dividing the entire equation by ΔT, we get: Cₚ = Cᵥ + R, which rearranges to Cₚ - Cᵥ = R.
8. What is Hess's Law of Constant Heat Summation and why is it important in thermochemistry?
Hess's Law states that the total enthalpy change for a chemical reaction is the same, regardless of whether the reaction occurs in one step or in several steps. The enthalpy change is a state function and depends only on the initial and final states.
This law is extremely important because it allows us to calculate the enthalpy changes for reactions that are difficult or impossible to measure directly in a calorimeter. By combining the known enthalpy changes of other related reactions, we can determine the unknown enthalpy of the target reaction.
9. A reaction has ΔH = +20 kJ/mol and ΔS = +100 J/K/mol. Above what temperature will this reaction become spontaneous?
A reaction becomes spontaneous when the Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) is negative (ΔG < 0). The Gibbs-Helmholtz equation is ΔG = ΔH - TΔS.
For the reaction to be at equilibrium (the threshold of spontaneity), ΔG = 0.
So, 0 = ΔH - TΔS, which means T = ΔH / ΔS.
First, ensure the units are consistent. Convert ΔH to J/mol:
ΔH = 20 kJ/mol = 20,000 J/mol
Now, calculate the temperature:
T = (20,000 J/mol) / (100 J/K/mol) = 200 K.
Since both ΔH and ΔS are positive, the reaction will be spontaneous when the TΔS term overcomes the ΔH term. This happens at temperatures above 200 K.
10. Is an exothermic reaction (negative ΔH) always spontaneous? Explain why or why not.
No, an exothermic reaction is not always spontaneous. While a negative ΔH favours spontaneity, it is not the only factor. The spontaneity of a process is determined by the change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG), which depends on both enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS): ΔG = ΔH - TΔS.
A reaction is only spontaneous if ΔG is negative. An exothermic reaction (negative ΔH) can be non-spontaneous if there is a large decrease in entropy (negative ΔS). At high enough temperatures, the positive 'TΔS' term can make ΔG positive, rendering the reaction non-spontaneous. For example, the condensation of water vapour is exothermic but leads to a decrease in entropy (disorder).
11. What are the most important formulas from Class 11 Thermodynamics for solving exam questions?
For the Class 11 final exams, you must know these key formulas:
- First Law of Thermodynamics: ΔU = q + w
- Work Done (irreversible): w = -p_extΔV
- Work Done (isothermal reversible): w = -2.303 nRT log(V₂/V₁)
- Enthalpy and Internal Energy: ΔH = ΔU + Δn_gRT
- Heat Capacity Relation: Cₚ - Cᵥ = R
- Gibbs Free Energy and Spontaneity: ΔG = ΔH - TΔS
- Gibbs Energy and Equilibrium: ΔG° = -2.303 RT log(K)











