Consider a cyclic process $\mathrm{P} \rightarrow \mathrm{Q} \rightarrow \mathrm{R} \rightarrow \mathrm{P}$ for a system. Among the following, the combination of steps that can never lead to this cyclic process is

• Correct answer
  A

  $\mathrm{P} \rightarrow \mathrm{Q}:$ Adiabatic irreversible; $\mathrm{Q} \rightarrow \mathrm{R}$ : Adiabatic reversible; $\mathrm{R} \rightarrow \mathrm{P}:$
  Adiabatic reversible
• B

  $\mathrm{P} \rightarrow \mathrm{Q}$ : Adiabatic irreversible; $\mathrm{Q} \rightarrow \mathrm{R}$ : Adiabatic reversible; $\mathrm{R} \rightarrow \mathrm{P}:$ Isothermal reversible
• C

  $\mathrm{P} \rightarrow \mathrm{Q}:$ Adiabatic irreversible; $\mathrm{Q} \rightarrow \mathrm{R}$ : Adiabatic reversible; $\mathrm{R} \rightarrow \mathrm{P}:$ Isothermal irreversible
• D

  $\mathrm{P} \rightarrow \mathrm{Q}$ : Isothermal irreversible; $\mathrm{Q} \rightarrow \mathrm{R}$ : Isothermal reversible; $\mathrm{R} \rightarrow \mathrm{P}:$ Isothermal reversible

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'A'.