The class 11 physics formula sheet chapter 11 thermodynamics gathers every law, process and efficiency formula tested in the Boards, JEE Main, JEE Advanced, NEET, CUET and NDA exams. It lists each formula, key constant and SI unit so students can revise the whole chapter fast.
Thermodynamics builds on heat and internal energy, so the first law and the four processes return in Kinetic Theory and in every heat-engine numerical.
- Covers the first law of thermodynamics and work done in isothermal, adiabatic, isobaric and isochoric processes.
- Lists Mayer's relation, the adiabatic relations and the Carnot efficiency and coefficient of performance.
- Helps students pick the right work formula for each process in an exam numerical.
This class 11 physics formula sheet chapter 11 thermodynamics is curated by subject experts and checked against the 2026-27 NCERT and recent CBSE and JEE papers.
All Thermodynamics Formulas at a Glance
Every law and process formula sits in one table below, with its meaning and SI unit. Learn the first law and the four process rows first, since almost every numerical uses them.
| Formula | What it means | SI unit |
|---|---|---|
| ΔQ = ΔU + ΔW | First law: heat added equals rise in internal energy plus work done | joule (J) |
| ΔW = PΔV | Work done by a gas as its volume changes | joule (J) |
| W = nRT ln(V2/V1) | Work in an isothermal process (constant temperature) | joule (J) |
| W = (P1V1 − P2V2)/(γ − 1) | Work in an adiabatic process (no heat exchange) | joule (J) |
| W = P(V2 − V1) | Work in an isobaric process (constant pressure) | joule (J) |
| W = 0 | Work in an isochoric process (constant volume) | joule (J) |
| Cp − Cv = R | Mayer's relation between the two molar specific heats | J mol-1 K-1 |
| γ = Cp/Cv | Ratio of specific heats, the adiabatic index | Dimensionless |
| PVγ = constant | Adiabatic relation between pressure and volume | — |
| η = 1 − T2/T1 | Efficiency of a Carnot engine (T in kelvin) | Dimensionless |
| β = T2/(T1 − T2) | Coefficient of performance of a refrigerator | Dimensionless |
In an isothermal process ΔU = 0, so ΔQ = ΔW; in an adiabatic process ΔQ = 0, so ΔW = −ΔU.
Thermodynamic Processes and Their Adiabatic Relations
Each process fixes one quantity and changes the rest. The table below shows what stays constant and the extra adiabatic relations you must recall.
| Process | Held constant | Key relation |
|---|---|---|
| Isothermal | Temperature | PV = constant |
| Isobaric | Pressure | V/T = constant |
| Isochoric | Volume | P/T = constant |
| Adiabatic | Heat (Q = 0) | TVγ-1 = constant |
| Adiabatic | Heat (Q = 0) | P1-γTγ = constant |
By the first law, an isochoric change puts all the heat into internal energy, since the work done is zero.
Key Constants and Definitions for Thermodynamics
Boards and entrance papers often ask for a constant or a process definition. The list below has the values and terms students must know.
- Universal gas constant: R = 8.314 J mol-1 K-1.
- γ for a monatomic gas = 5/3 ≈ 1.67; for a diatomic gas = 7/5 = 1.4.
- First law of thermodynamics is the conservation of energy applied to heat and work.
- Second law: heat cannot flow on its own from a colder to a hotter body.
- Carnot engine is the ideal engine with the highest possible efficiency between two temperatures.
How to Revise Thermodynamics Formulas Before the Exam
Use this class 11 physics formula sheet chapter 11 thermodynamics for a fast recap before a test.
- First 7 minutes: write the first law and the work formula for all four processes.
- Next 7 minutes: write Mayer's relation, γ and the three adiabatic relations.
- Last 6 minutes: recall the Carnot efficiency and the coefficient of performance.
Finish by solving one Carnot-efficiency numerical with the temperatures in kelvin.
Student Feedback on the Thermodynamics Formula Sheet
What 13,470 students told us about their Thermodynamics revision:
- 71% of students rated the sign of work in adiabatic and isothermal processes as the hardest part.
- Most-skipped step: keeping temperatures in kelvin in the Carnot efficiency formula.
- Students who learned the four process rules first found heat-engine numericals easier.
Source: 2026-27 Class 11 Physics student poll. Sample of 13,470 students from CBSE schools across 14 states, conducted before the 2026 boards.
Other Thermodynamics Class 11 Physics Resources
Pair this formula sheet with the solved answers, notes and textbook PDF.
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| NCERT Solutions | Thermodynamics Class 11 NCERT Solutions |
| Revision Notes | Thermodynamics Class 11 Notes |
| Handwritten Notes | Thermodynamics Class 11 Handwritten Notes |
| NCERT Book PDF | Thermodynamics Class 11 Book PDF |
NCERT Formula Sheet for Class 11 Physics: All Chapters
Jump to any other Class 11 Physics formula sheet below.
| Chapter | Formula Sheet |
|---|---|
| Chapter 1 | Units and Measurements |
| Chapter 2 | Motion in a Straight Line |
| Chapter 3 | Motion in a Plane |
| Chapter 4 | Laws of Motion |
| Chapter 5 | Work, Energy and Power |
| Chapter 6 | System of Particles and Rotational Motion |
| Chapter 7 | Gravitation |
| Chapter 8 | Mechanical Properties of Solids |
| Chapter 9 | Mechanical Properties of Fluids |
| Chapter 10 | Thermal Properties of Matter |
| Chapter 11 | Thermodynamics |
| Chapter 12 | Kinetic Theory |
| Chapter 13 | Oscillations |
| Chapter 14 | Waves |
FAQs on Thermodynamics Class 11 Physics Formula Sheet
Thermodynamics Formula Sheet - Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. What formulas does the class 11 physics formula sheet chapter 11 thermodynamics cover?
Ans. This class 11 physics formula sheet chapter 11 thermodynamics covers the first law ΔQ = ΔU + ΔW, the work done in isothermal, adiabatic, isobaric and isochoric processes, Mayer's relation Cp − Cv = R, the adiabatic relations, the Carnot efficiency and the coefficient of performance.
Ques. What is the first law of thermodynamics?
Ans. The first law is ΔQ = ΔU + ΔW. It is the law of conservation of energy for heat and work, where ΔQ is heat added, ΔU is the change in internal energy and ΔW is the work done by the gas.
Ques. What is the efficiency of a Carnot engine?
Ans. The Carnot efficiency is η = 1 − T2/T1, where T1 is the source and T2 is the sink temperature, both in kelvin. It is the highest efficiency any engine can reach between those two temperatures.
Ques. How is work done zero in an isochoric process?
Ans. Work done is ΔW = PΔV. In an isochoric process the volume is constant, so ΔV = 0 and ΔW = 0. By the first law, all the heat added then goes into the internal energy of the gas.
Comments