NCERT Class 11 Chemistry Chapter Thermodynamics: Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions
Some higher-order thinking skills questions with solutions based on the NCERT Exemplar Class 11 Chemistry Solutions Chapter 6 Thermodynamics are given below:
Question 1: Total enthalpy change for freezing of 1 mol of water at $10^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ to ice at $-10^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ is $\qquad$
(Given : $\Delta_{\mathrm{fus}} \mathrm{H}=\mathrm{x} \mathrm{kJ} / \mathrm{mol}$
$\begin{aligned}
& \mathrm{C}_{\mathrm{p}}\left[\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}(\mathrm{l})\right]=\mathrm{y} \mathrm{~J} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1} \mathrm{~K}^{-1} \\
& \mathrm{C}_{\mathrm{p}}\left[\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}(\mathrm{~s})\right]=\mathrm{z} \mathrm{~J} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1} \mathrm{~K}^{-1}
\end{aligned}$
(1) $-x-10 y-10 z$
(2) $-10(100 x+y+z)$
(3) $10(100 x+y+z)$
(4) $x-10 y-10 z$
Answer

$\Delta H=1 \times y(0-10)-x \times 1000+1 \times z\left(-10^{\circ}-0^{\circ}\right)$
$\Delta H=-(10 y+10 z-1000 x) \mathrm{J}$
$\Delta H=-10(100 x+y+z)$ Joule.
Hence, the correct answer is option (2).
Question 2: Which of the following mixing of 1 M base and 1 M acid leads to the largest increase in temperature?
(1) 30 mL HCl and 30 mL NaOH
(2) $30 \mathrm{~mL} \mathrm{CH}_3 \mathrm{COOH}$ and 30 mL NaOH
(3) 50 mL HCl and 20 mL NaOH
(4) $45 \mathrm{~mL} \mathrm{CH}_3 \mathrm{COOH}$ and 25 mL NaOH
Answer:
The higher the number of milli moles of acid or base reacted higher will be temperature rise.
Option (4) $n_{\text {acid }}$ or $n_{\text {base }}$ reacted $=30 \mathrm{~m} \mathrm{~mol}$
Option (2) $n_{\text {acid }}$ or $n_{\text {base }}$ reacted $=30 \mathrm{~m} \mathrm{~mol}$
but less energy will be released by neutralisation reaction of weak acid hence option (2) can not be correct.
Option (3) $\Rightarrow 20 \mathrm{~m} \mathrm{~mol}$
Option (4) $\Rightarrow 25 \mathrm{~m} \mathrm{~mol}$
Hence, the correct answer is option (1)
Question 3. Calculate the entropy change when 10 moles of an ideal gas expand reversibly and isothermally from an initial volume of 10 litres to 100 litres at 300 K.
Answer:
Step 1: Use the ideal gas law to relate the initial and final conditions.
$
\mathrm{PV}=\mathrm{nRT}
$
Step 2: Calculate the initial and final pressures using the ideal gas law.
$
\mathrm{P}_1=\frac{\mathrm{nRT}}{\mathrm{~V}_1}
$
$
\mathrm{P}_2=\frac{\mathrm{nRT}_2}{\mathrm{~V}_2}
$
Given: Number of moles, $\mathrm{n}=10$ moles Initial volume, $\mathrm{V}_1=10$ liters Final volume, $\mathrm{V}_2=100$ liters Temperature, $\mathrm{T}=300 \mathrm{~K}$ Gas constant, $\mathrm{R}=8.314 \mathrm{~J} /(\mathrm{mol} \cdot \mathrm{K})$
Step 3: Use the isothermal process to find the change in volume $(\Delta \mathrm{V})$ and the work done $(\mathrm{W})$
$
\Delta V=V_2-V_1
$
Step 4: Calculate the work done $(\mathrm{W})$ using the external pressure ( $\mathrm{P}_{\text {ext }}$ ).
$
\mathrm{W}=-\mathrm{P}_{\mathrm{ext}} \cdot \Delta \mathrm{~V}
$
Since the process is isothermal, the external pressure is equal to the gas pressure at all times:
$
P_{\mathrm{ext}}=\mathrm{P}_1=\frac{\mathrm{nRT}_1}{V_1}
$
Step 5: Use the definition of entropy change $(\Delta \mathrm{S})_{\text {for an isothermal process: }}$
$
\Delta \mathrm{S}=-\frac{\mathrm{W}}{\mathrm{~T}}
$
Step 6: Substitute the values and calculate the entropy change.
$
\Delta S=-\frac{-P_{\mathrm{ext}} \cdot \Delta V}{T}
$
Calculating the numerical value of the entropy change:
$
\Delta \mathrm{S}=-\frac{-\left(\frac{\mathrm{nRT}}{\mathrm{~V}_1}\right) \cdot\left(\mathrm{V}_2-\mathrm{V}_1\right)}{\mathrm{T}}
$
Substitute the given values:
$
\Delta \mathrm{S}=-\frac{-\left(\frac{(10 \mathrm{~mol}) \cdot(8.314 \mathrm{~J} /(\mathrm{mol}-\mathrm{K})) \cdot(300 \mathrm{~K})}{10 \mathrm{~L}}\right) \cdot(100 \mathrm{~L}-10 \mathrm{~L})}{300 \mathrm{~K}}
$
Calculating the numerical value of the entropy change:
$
\Delta \mathrm{S} \approx 276.93 \mathrm{~J} / \mathrm{K}
$
So, the entropy change when 10 moles of an ideal gas expand reversibly and isothermally from an initial volume of 10 litres to 100 litres at 300 K is approximately $276.93 \mathrm{~J} / \mathrm{K}$.
Hence, the answer is ($276.93 \mathrm{~J} / \mathrm{K}$).
Question 4: A given mass of gas expands from the state $A$ to the state $B$ by three path 1,2 and 3 as shown in the figure. If $W_1, W_2$ and $W_3$ as respectively be the magnitudes work done by the gas along three paths then:

(1) $\quad W_1>W_2>W_3$
(2) $\quad W_1<W_2<W_3$
(3) $\quad W_1=W_2=W_3$
(4) $\quad W_2<W_3<W_1$
Answer:
Work done $=$ Area under the curve.
W1 area under the curve $<\mathrm{W}_ 2<\mathrm{W} _3$
Hence, the correct answer is option (2).
Question 5: The correct statement amongst the following is :
(1) The term 'standard state' implies that the temperature is $0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$
(2) The standard state of pure gas is the pure gas at a pressure of 1 bar and temperature 273 K
(3) $\boldsymbol{\Delta}_{\mathrm{f}} \mathrm{H}_{298}^{\boldsymbol{\theta}}$ is zero for $\mathrm{O}(\mathrm{g})$
(4) $\boldsymbol{\Delta}_{\mathrm{f}} \mathrm{H}_{298}^{\boldsymbol{\theta}}$ is zero for $\mathrm{O}_2(\mathrm{~g})$
Answer:
Option (1)
It asserts that the term "standard state" implies that the temperature is $0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}(273 \mathrm{~K})$.
In fact, "standard state" typically specifies a standard pressure (1 bar) and a chosen temperature-commonly 298 K for tabulated thermodynamic data-not necessarily $0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$.
Thus, Option 1 is incorrect.
Option (2)
It claims that the standard state for a pure gas is defined at 1 bar and 273 K .
In modern thermochemistry, the standard state generally means the pure substance at 1 bar, but the standard temperature most commonly used is $298 \mathrm{~K}\left(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)$, not 273 K $\left(0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)$.
Thus, Option 2 is incorrect.
Option (3)
It claims that $\Delta_f H_{298}^{\circ}$ is zero for $O(g)$ (atomic oxygen).
However, the standard state of oxygen is diatomic $O_2(g)$, not atomic oxygen. Since $O(g)$ is not the most stable form of oxygen under standard conditions, its formation enthalpy is not zero.
Hence, Option 3 is incorrect.
Option (4)
$\Delta_{\mathrm{f}} \mathrm{H}_{298}^0$ for $\mathrm{O}_2$ is zero and not for O.
The standard enthalpy of formation of any element in its most stable form is zero, regardless of temperature (though typically reported at 298 K ).
Thus, option (4) is correct
Hence, the correct answer is option (4).
Question 6: Which of the following graphs correctly represents the variation of thermodynamic properties of Haber's process ?
(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Answer:
$\mathrm{N}_2(\mathrm{~g})+3 \mathrm{H}_2(\mathrm{~g}) \rightleftharpoons 2 \mathrm{NH}_3(\mathrm{~g})$
The change in enthalpy $\left(\Delta \mathrm{H}^{\circ}\right)$ is negative, indicating that the reaction is exothermic.
The change in entropy ( $\Delta \mathrm{S}^{\circ}$ ) is also negative because the number of moles of gas decreases during the reaction.
$\frac{-\Delta H_{\mathrm{r}}^{\circ}}{\mathrm{T}} \Rightarrow$ first decreases then constant
$\frac{-\Delta G_R^{\circ}}{T} \Rightarrow$ first decreases then constant
Hence, the correct answer is option (1).
Question 7: If $\mathrm{C (diamond)}$ $\rightarrow \mathrm{C}$ $\mathrm{(graphite)}$ $+\mathrm{X} \mathrm{kJ} \mathrm{mol}^{-1}$
$\begin{aligned}
& \mathrm{C}(\text { diamond })+\mathrm{O}_2(\mathrm{~g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_2(\mathrm{~g})+\mathrm{Y} \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1} \\
& \mathrm{C}(\text { graphite })+\mathrm{O}_2(\mathrm{~g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_2(\mathrm{~g})+\mathrm{ZkJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}
\end{aligned}$
At constant temperature. Then
(1)$X=Y+Z$
(2)$-X=Y+Z$
(3)$X=-Y+Z$
(4)$X=Y-Z$
Answer:
Using Hess's law, we can express the enthalpy change of the first reaction (diamond to graphite) in terms of the other two reactions (combustion of diamond and graphite).
C (diamond) $\rightarrow \mathrm{C}$ (graphite)
So by using hess law
Combustion of diamond:
$
\mathrm{C}(\text { diamond })+\mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_2 \quad \Delta H=Y
$
Combustion of graphite:
$
\mathrm{C} \text { (graphite) }+\mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_2 \quad \Delta H=Z
$
The reaction from diamond to graphite:
$$
\mathrm{C} \text { (diamond) } \rightarrow \mathrm{C} \text { (graphite) } \quad \Delta H=X
$$
So,
$\begin{gathered}\mathrm{C}(\text { diamond }) \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_2=Y \\ \mathrm{C}(\text { diamond }) \rightarrow \mathrm{C}(\text { graphite })=X \\ \mathrm{C}(\text { graphite }) \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_2=Z\end{gathered}$
This leads us to the equation:
X=Y−Z
Hence, the correct answer is option (4).
Approach to Solve Questions of Chapter 6: Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics deals with the energy changes in physical and chemical processes. It’s a concept-based chapter that requires a good grasp of definitions, laws, formulas, and logical application. Sometimes problems seem very difficult, but once we understand the basic rules and strategy, it becomes very easy to solve all the questions related to that particular topic. The basic understanding of how to solve questions from the Thermodynamics Class 11 NCERT is essential for building a strong foundation in physical chemistry. The approaches given below help students in developing the right techniques to solve questions.
1. Learning about the basic concepts like system, surrounding, internal energy, work, heat, enthalpy and Laws of Thermodynamics is very important for solving questions. These topics also help in understanding energy changes in chemical reactions and predicting the direction of physical and chemical change.
2). Before solving any question, first give it a thorough reading and note down all the information given in the question. Identify given data like pressure, volume, temperature, etc. and what we need to find.
3). Using the correct formula is very important for Solving NCERT Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 5 Thermodynamics questions
(i). Internal Energy Change
$\Delta U=U_{\text {final }}-U_{\text {initial }}$
(ii). First Law of Thermodynamics
$\Delta U=q+W$
(iii). Work Done in Expansion/Compression
$W=-P \Delta V$
(iv). Enthalpy and Enthalpy Change
$H=U+P V$
$\Delta H=\Delta U+P \Delta V$
(v). tandard Enthalpy Change of Reaction
$\Delta H_{\text {reaction }}^{\circ}=\sum \Delta H_{\text {products }}^{\circ}-\sum \Delta H_{\text {reactants }}^{\circ}$
(vi). Gibbs Free Energy
$\Delta G=\Delta H-T \Delta S$
4). Be careful while dealing with units and convert them if necessary to ensure consistency like temperature in Kelvin or volume in litres, etc.
5). Practice again and again, as it will help in mastering thermodynamics numerically.
- Start with simpler problems
- Then gradually move to ones involving concepts like enthalpy change, work in isothermal or adiabatic processes, and heat capacity.
6). Chapter 6 Thermodynamics Questions from the NCERT books are asked directly in the boards and other competitive exams. Do previous year questions from NEET and JEE to get used to question patterns.