Thermal Physics - NEET Physics Questions
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Thermal Physics

Question 91: moderate

The power radiated by a black body is $P$ and it radiates maximum energy at wavelength, $\lambda_0$. If the temperature of the black body is now changed so that it radiates maximum energy at wavelength $\frac{3}{4}\lambda_0$, the power radiated by it becomes $nP$. The value of $n$ is: (2018)

1. $\frac{256}{81}$
2. $\frac{4}{3}$
3. $\frac{3}{4}$
4. $\frac{81}{256}$
View Answer

From Wien's displacement law, $T \propto 1/\lambda_{max}$. Thus $T'/T = \lambda_0 / (3\lambda_0/4) = 4/3$. According to Stefan's law, Power $P \propto T^4$. So, $P'/P = (T'/T)^4 = (4/3)^4 = 256/81$.

Question 92: moderate

A spherical black body with a radius of $12\text{ cm}$ radiates $450\text{ watt}$ power at $500\text{ K}$. If the radius were halved and the temperature doubled, the power radiated in watt would be: (2017-Delhi)

1. $450$
2. $1000$
3. $1800$
4. $225$
View Answer

Power radiated $P = \sigma A T^4 = \sigma (4\pi r^2) T^4 \Rightarrow P \propto r^2 T^4$. Given $r' = r/2$ and $T' = 2T$. Thus, $P' = P(1/2)^2 (2)^4 = P(1/4)(16) = 4P = 4 \times 450 = 1800\text{ W}$.

Question 93: moderate

A black body is at a temperature of $5760\text{ K}$. The energy of radiation emitted by the body at wavelength $250\text{ nm}$ is $U_1$, at wavelength $500\text{ nm}$ is $U_2$ and that at $1000\text{ nm}$ is $U_3$. Wien’s constant, $b = 2.88 \times 10^6\text{ nmK}$. Which of the following is correct? (2016 – I)

1. $U_1 = 0$
2. $U_3 = 0$
3. $U_1 > U_2$
4. $U_2 > U_1$
View Answer

From Wien's displacement law, $\lambda_{max} = \frac{b}{T} = \frac{2.88 \times 10^6}{5760} = 500\text{ nm}$. This means maximum energy is radiated at $500\text{ nm}$. Therefore, the energy $U_2$ is maximum, so $U_2 > U_1$ and $U_2 > U_3$.

Question 94: moderate

On observing light from three different stars P, Q and R, it was found that intensity of violet color is maximum in the spectrum of P, the intensity of green color is maximum in the spectrum of R and the intensity of red color is maximum in the spectrum of Q. If $T_P$, $T_Q$ and $T_R$ are the respective absolute temperatures of P, Q and R then it can be concluded from the above observations that: (2015)

1. $T_P > T_R > T_Q$
2. $T_P < T_R < T_Q$
3. $T_P < T_Q < T_R$
4. $T_P > T_Q > T_R$
View Answer

The wavelengths corresponding to maximum intensity are $\lambda_P < \lambda_R < \lambda_Q$ because violet has the shortest wavelength and red has the longest. From Wien's law, $T \propto 1/\lambda_{max}$. Thus, the temperatures are in the reverse order: $T_P > T_R > T_Q$.

Question 95: moderate

A piece of iron is heated in a flame. It first becomes dull red then becomes reddish yellow and finally turns to white hot. The correct explanation for the above observation is possible by using: (2013)

1. Newton's Law of cooling
2. Stefan's Law
3. Wien's displacement Law
4. Kirchoff's Law
View Answer

As the temperature of the iron increases, the wavelength at which it emits maximum energy decreases, according to Wien's displacement law ($lambda_{max} T = text{constant}$). This causes the color to shift from longer wavelengths (red) to shorter wavelengths (yellow, then all visible mixing to white).

Question 96: moderate

Gravitational force is required for: (2000)

1. Stirring of liquid
2. Convection
3. Conduction
4. Radiation
View Answer

Convection involves the macroscopic movement of fluid which relies on density differences. These differences in density lead to buoyant forces, which require gravity to operate.

Question 97: moderate

A cup of coffee cools from $90^\circ\text{C}$ to $80^\circ\text{C}$ in $t$ minutes, when the room temperature is $20^\circ\text{C}$. The time taken by a similar cup of coffee to cool from $80^\circ\text{C}$ to $60^\circ\text{C}$ at a room temperature same at $20^\circ\text{C}$ is: (2021)

1. $\frac{13}{5}t$
2. $\frac{10}{13}t$
3. $\frac{5}{13}t$
4. $\frac{13}{10}t$
View Answer

Using average form of Newton's law of cooling: $\frac{90-80}{t} = K(\frac{90+80}{2}-20) \Rightarrow \frac{10}{t} = K(65)$. For second case: $\frac{80-60}{t'} = K(\frac{80+60}{2}-20) \Rightarrow \frac{20}{t'} = K(50)$. Dividing the two equations yields $t' = \frac{13}{5}t$.

Question 98: moderate

A body cools from a temperature $3T$ to $2T$ in $10$ minutes. The room temperature is $T$. Assume that Newton’s law of cooling is applicable. The temperature of the body at the end of next $10$ minutes will be: (2016 – II)

1. $\frac{4}{3}T$
2. $T$
3. $\frac{7}{4}T$
4. $\frac{3}{2}T$
View Answer

By Newton's law of cooling: $\frac{3T-2T}{10} = K(\frac{3T+2T}{2}-T) \Rightarrow \frac{T}{10} = K(1.5T)$. For next 10 mins: $\frac{2T-T'}{10} = K(\frac{2T+T'}{2}-T)$. Substituting $K = \frac{1}{15}$, we get $2T - T' = \frac{1}{15}(0.5T' + T) \times 10$. Solving gives $T' = \frac{3}{2}T$.

Question 99: moderate

A black body has wavelength $\lambda_m$ corresponding to maximum energy at $2000 \text{ K}$. Its wavelength corresponding to maximum energy at $3000 \text{ K}$ will be: (2001)

1. $\frac{3}{2}\lambda_m$
2. $\frac{2}{3}\lambda_m$
3. $\frac{16}{81}\lambda_m$
4. $\frac{81}{16}\lambda_m$
View Answer

According to Wien's displacement law, $\lambda_{m1} T_1 = \lambda_{m2} T_2$. $\lambda_m (2000) = \lambda_{m2} (3000) \Rightarrow \lambda_{m2} = \frac{2000}{3000} \lambda_m = \frac{2}{3} \lambda_m$.

Question 100: moderate

A sphere maintained at temperature $600 \text{ K}$, has cooling rate $R$ in an external environment of $200 \text{ K}$ temperature. If its temperature, falls to $400 \text{ K}$ then its cooling rate will be: (1999)

1. $\frac{3}{16}R$
2. $\frac{16}{3}R$
3. $\frac{9}{27}R$
4. None
View Answer

Cooling rate $\propto (T^4 - T_0^4)$. $\frac{R'}{R} = \frac{400^4 - 200^4}{600^4 - 200^4} = \frac{2^4 - 1^4}{3^4 - 1^4} = \frac{15}{80} = \frac{3}{16}$. Since $\frac{3}{16} = \frac{9}{48}$, the correct cooling rate would be $\frac{3}{16}R$. The closest option is incorrectly printed as 9/27, the answer is 3/16 R