Thermal Physics SL Thermal Physics SL Thermal physics is the combined study of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and kinetic theory.

(Wikipedia: Thermal Physics) 3.1.1: State that temperature determines the direction of thermal energy transfer between objects Heat is energy that is transferred from one body to another as a result of a difference in temperature. The bodies reach thermal equilibrium when no more heat will flow between the bodies, and they are at the same temperature. Heat is always transferred from the hot object to the cold object; hence the initially cold object becomes heated. 3.1.2: State the relationship between the Kelvin and Celsius scales of temperature ( ) ( )

Temperature (t) is a measure of the degree of intensity of heat in an object (how hot or cold it is). Temperature determines the direction of the heat flow. It is a scalar quantity measured in degrees Celsius (C) or kelvin (k). Celsius is used for solids and liquids, while kelvin is used for gases. Temperature cannot be measured directly. Thermometers with calibrated scales are used. The temperature measured will be the average kinetic energy of the particles. Temperature can increase by placing a cold body next to a hot body. Heat will flow from the hot body to the cold body until they are at the same temperature, this is known as thermal equilibrium, and the energy transferred is heat or thermal energy. 3.1.3: State that the internal energy of a substance is the total potential energy and random kinetic energy of the molecules of the substance All matter is made of molecules that are in constant motion, hence they have kinetic energy. To increase the distance between molecules and overcome the forces between them, work needs to be done, and this is in the form of increasing the potential energy of the molecules. The internal energy of a system can be changed by changing the temperature, or doing work, meaning that the two concepts are independent.

Thermal Physics SL

3.1.4: Explain and distinguish between the macroscopic concepts of temperature, internal energy and thermal energy (heat). The absolute temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules. The internal energy is the sum of the kinetic and potential energy of the molecules. 3.2.1: Define specific heat capacity and thermal capacity The specific heat capacity (c) is the amount of thermal energy needed to raise the temperature of a mass of one kilogram of a substance by one kelvin, measured in Jkg-1K-1.

As thermal energy is provided to an object, it is equally divided between the molecules, hence the average kinetic energy will increase, and so will temperature. 1 kg of different substances contain different number of molecules, hence the energy required to raise the energy by one kelvin is different. The heat capacity (C) is the amount of energy required to change the temperature of a body by one kelvin.

For an object made of different substances, the total heat capacity is used. The specific heat capacity can be used to find the final temperature of two bodies in contact, as they reach thermal equilibrium. 3.2.3: Explain the physical differences between the solid, liquid and gaseous phases in terms of molecular structure and particle motion Solid: high density, molecules held at a fixed position. Strong intermolecular forces. Liquid: molecules free to move. Less strong intermolecular forces. Gas: molecules experience little resistance to motion. Weak intermolecular forces.

Thermal Physics SL 3.2.4: Describe the process of phase change in terms of molecular behavior As the temperature increases, the average kinetic energy of the molecules increases, to match the energy required to separate the molecules. This is known as phase transition. 3.2.7: Describe specific latent heat Specific latent heat (L) expresses the amount of energy in the form of heat (Q) required to completely effect a phase change of a unit of mass (m), usually 1kg, of a substance (Wikipedia: Latent heat) The specific latent heat of fusion is the energy required to melt a unit mass at its melting point.

The specific latent heat of vaporization is the thermal energy required to vaporize a unit mass at its boiling point.

3.2.9: Define pressure Pressure is the normal force per unit area.

3.2.10: State the assumptions of the kinetic model of an ideal gas Gas molecules obey Newtons laws of mechanics Gases consist of a large number of molecules Gas molecules move with a range of speeds The volume of the gas is greater than the volume of the molecules The collisions between the molecules and the container are elastic Gas molecules do not exert any forces except when in contact The duration of collisions is short

Thermal Physics SL 3.2.12: Explain the macroscopic properties of an ideal gas in terms of a molecular model At constant temperature and concentration, the pressure is inversely proportional to volume.

Volume increases uniformly with temperature. At constant pressure,

At constant volume, pressure increases uniformly with uniform increasing temperature.

The variables that do not change can be cancelled out in calculations. We conclude that the equation of state is:

If given the number of molecules, the value given can be divided by Avogadros constant to find the number of moles. If the quantity of gas is kept constant, the line of the Pressure-Temperature graph will go through the origin.