Welcome to the first post under the label "Physics Strategy". In the posts under this label, I will be discussing the strategies for all the physics chapters that are included in JEE/NEET syllabus.
Mainly I am going to discuss four things,
Thermodynamics is a complex chapter and many toppers are not able to solve the questions many a time. Well, the main problem is, this is a vast chapter but a very small portion is included in the syllabus, so many aspirants can't get the clarity required to crack a JEE advanced question. That doesn't mean you will ignore the chapter. You must practise it well because the more you practise the more you learn.
Mainly I am going to discuss four things,
- The Importance of the chapter from the JEE/NEET point of view,
- The prerequisites of this chapter,
- The important concepts inside the chapter &
- The problem-solving techniques (The most important one).
The Importance of the chapter:-
Thermodynamics is not a small chapter or a very minor application in engineering sciences. This chapter creates the most number of problems in higher study. If you are going to study Mechanical or Civil engineering then the length and density of the Thermodynamics course are sufficient to give you goosebumps. In basic science or research branch, this chapter holds the important because there are some terms like "Entropy" inside this chapter.
In daily life, many phenomena happen (some of which are fatal) because of this "thermodynamics". A big building can collapse because of this thermodynamics or a train accident may occur because of the same thermodynamics.
Hence this chapter holds the importance in JEE/NEET as well as in daily life.
The prerequisites of this chapter:-
Before heading towards the chapter, make sure that you have a good command over the following chapters and concepts,
Mathematical Tools :
- Differentiation, the meaning of Δ and ∂.
- Significant figure and error calculation using calculus methods.
- Integration, the theoretical meaning of ∫.
- Graph analysis, plotting equations as a graph.
- Area calculation from graphical figures.
Physics chapters :
- Basics of mechanics
The important concepts inside the chapter:-
You may suffer if you are not going to divide this chapter into subchapters and sub-concepts.
1 - Temperature Scale, Thermal expansion
- The principle concept of scaling a thermometer, °C and °F conversions and applications.
- Linear, superficial, volume expansion and related coefficients, applications in real life.
- Thermal expansion in the liquid, anomalous expansion of water.
2 - Heat transfer
- Transfer of heat by conduction and radiation.
- Transfer of heat by convection (theory only).
- Prevost's theory, Kirchoff's law, Ideal black body, Stefan's law, Newton's law of cooling, Wein's displacement law and related graph analysis.
3 - Calorimetry
- Specific Heat capacity
- Latent heat of fusion, evaporation.
- Change of state, Phase diagram and analysis, Triple point of water.
- Study of a system consisting of 2 or more objects of different temperature.
4 - Kinetic Theory Of Gases
- Gas laws, graphical plots
- The ideal gas and real gas, ideal gas equation
- Degree of freedom
- Maxwell's Law of Equipartition energy
5 - Thermodynamics laws and states
- FLOT, SLOT
- Different processes(isothermal, isobaric etc)
- Mayor's relation, the value of Ɣ and atomicity of gas
- Different engines and working procedure, refrigeration.
- Entropy and related applications.
The problem-solving techniques:-
I am laying below a simple approach for this chapter,
- You must read NCERT. Some aspirants may find NCERT difficult to understand the concepts, so they may use Arihant Physics book which is written by DC Pandey sir(DCP physics). DCP comes in two types, one is a set of 5 books and another one is for numerical practice. I suggest you, go with 5 set book, as that covers theory in a better way. if you are from some coaching institute, then you may use your coaching material for theory too.
- Now lets come to the challenging part, the "question practice". Most of the mistakes in thermodynamics occur because aspirants neglect small details that are given in the question, they suffer to detect the exact thermodynamics process and make mistake in reading the graphical data proficiently. This chapter is very much theoretical. One needs a proper command and clarity over theory to jump into a question and solve it. Before practising questions make sure you have understood the theory well.
- The first concept is easy. Simple temperature measuring scales and thermal expansion. Aspirants preparing for JEE please don't ignore the expansion of the liquid concept. This concept often confuses student while doing multi correct questions and they get negative just because of a small mistake.
- The second concept is heat transfer. This is an important concept because it can be merged with other chapters and form a good JEE advanced question. Heat transfer by radiation is the most important one. Open DCP, practise as much numerical as you can. Once DCP is over, head towards Cengage Physics and must solve the subjective part. Finally, attempt the previous year's paper and you are done.
- JEE Main and NEET asks a lot of questions from calorimetry. You should understand the mechanism of temperature increase and state change initially. Then solve the problems in NCERT and DCP.
- The next chapter is conceptual as well as a very hot topic for the future if you are heading towards research or engineering. Read NCERT for sure, understand the equipartition energy part. Instead of DCp, practise problems from Cengage and previous year papers. There were incidents when questions from this chapter came mixed with other chapters in JEE advanced, so don't take it lightly.
- The last one is everyone's favourite. Thermodynamics process is the play of pressure, volume, temperature and number of moles. Aspirants make a mistake here, they try to mug up formulas which are not good. There is a simple formula for the reversible and irreversible process, If you know the method how to derive than that will help you a lot in JEE advanced. Don't neglect the degree of freedom and it's application in this chapter. You can use DCP for this, but the best is IRODOV for JEE advanced as thermodynamics part can be asked on an advanced level. Head to previous year subjective papers to know the complexity of this chapter better.
"Don't forget, practise is the beginning of perfection"Final words for this chapter:-
Thermodynamics is a complex chapter and many toppers are not able to solve the questions many a time. Well, the main problem is, this is a vast chapter but a very small portion is included in the syllabus, so many aspirants can't get the clarity required to crack a JEE advanced question. That doesn't mean you will ignore the chapter. You must practise it well because the more you practise the more you learn.