Answer: Is less compressible (harder to compress).
- A Is less compressible (harder to compress)
- B Is more compressible than an ideal gas at the same pressure
- C Behaves identically to an ideal gas under any pressure
- D Becomes more or less compressible only depending on temperature, not pressure
Correct answer: A. Is less compressible (harder to compress)
Explanation: At high pressures, the (V-nb) term dominates. The effective volume is reduced by b (molecular volume), making it less compressible.
The Carnot cycle alternates two isothermal steps (heat absorbed at TH, released at TC) with two adiabatic steps (no heat exchange); the enclosed loop area equals the net work output, and η = 1−TC/TH is the maximum possible efficiency between those two temperatures.
Concept context
Laws of thermodynamics, heat engines, entropy, and gas processes.