Physics I / First Law of Thermodynamics
Practice question · Sort into groups

Sort each statement as applying to Internal energy (U), Heat (Q), or Work (W).

Groups: Internal energy U · Heat Q · Work W

Hints
  1. Ask whether the quantity depends on the path or only on the state.
  2. Two of the three are transfers rather than properties.
Show the answer

Internal energy U: A state function; depends only on current state, ΔU=0\Delta U = 0 for an isothermal ideal gas cycle

Heat Q: Energy transferred due to temperature difference

Work W: Energy transferred by a force through a displacement

Why

U is a state function; Q and W are path-dependent energy transfers.

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