thermal physics

• What is thermal equilibrium?

  Energy transfer stops when temperatures equalize
• How does heat transfer in a room with a fireplace?

  Heat moves from high to low temperature
• What happens when two objects at different temperatures touch?

  They transfer heat until equal temperature
• What is the Celsius scale commonly used for?

  Daily temperature measurements
• How do you convert Celsius to Kelvin?

  Add 273 to the Celsius temperature
• What is the SI unit for temperature?

  Kelvin
• Why is the Kelvin scale considered absolute?

  It starts at absolute zero temperature
• What is the key difference between solids and liquids in terms of particle movement?

  Solids have fixed positions; liquids do not
• How do particles behave in a gas?

  They move randomly and are far apart
• What is Brownian motion?

  Random movement of particles in a fluid
• What is the purpose of the smoke cell experiment?

  To observe Brownian motion in smoke particles
• What conclusion can be drawn from the smoke cell experiment?

  Smoke particles collide with invisible air particles
• What is internal energy defined as?

  Sum of kinetic and potential energies of particles
• What does the symbol 'u' represent in thermal physics?

  Internal energy
• What happens to the potential energy of particles when they are heated?

  It increases as particles move apart
• What occurs during the melting phase of ice?

  Kinetic energy remains constant; potential energy increases
• What is specific heat capacity?

  Energy needed to raise 1 kg by 1 K
• How is specific heat capacity represented mathematically?

  c = energy / (mass × change in temperature)
• What are the base units of specific heat capacity?

  m$^2$s$^{-2}$K$^{-1}$
• How can specific heat capacity be determined experimentally?

  By measuring temperature change with energy input
• What is the unit for specific heat capacity?

  Kilograms meters squared s to the power of minus 2 k to the power of minus 1
• How is specific heat capacity calculated?

  By dividing energy by mass and temperature change
• What is the procedure to determine specific heat capacity in an experiment?

  1. Measure mass of water.
  2. Measure current and voltage.
  3. Measure temperature at intervals.
  4. Stir liquid regularly.
  5. Plot temperature against time.
  6. Calculate gradient from graph.
  7. Use formula to find specific heat capacity.
• What happens if the immersion heater is not fully submerged?

  The experiment will not work properly
• What is the equation for specific heat capacity?

  e = m c delta theta
• What does dividing both sides of the specific heat capacity equation by time introduce?

  Power into the equation
• How do you find the gradient of the temperature vs. time graph?

  By calculating the change in temperature over time
• What is the formula for power in terms of energy and time?

  Power = energy / time
• How is specific heat capacity rearranged from the power equation?

  Specific heat capacity = power / (mass * gradient)
• What are the two types of specific latent heat?

  Fusion and vaporization
• What does specific latent heat measure?

  Energy per kilogram to change state
• How do you calculate specific latent heat of fusion?

  Using e = m * l subscript f
• What is the formula for specific latent heat of vaporization?

  e = m * l subscript v
• What is the procedure to determine specific latent heat in an experiment?

  1. Set up the circuit with a heater.
  2. Measure current and voltage.
  3. Melt ice for a set time.
  4. Measure mass of melted ice.
  5. Control for room temperature melting.
  6. Subtract control mass from total mass.
  7. Use energy input to find specific latent heat.
• Why do we need a control in the specific latent heat experiment?

  To account for melting at room temperature
• How do you find the specific latent heat of fusion from the experiment?

  By dividing energy by the mass of melted ice
• What is the formula for energy in terms of voltage and current?

  Energy = voltage * current
• What is the procedure to determine specific latent heat of vaporization?

  1. Set up the circuit with a heater.
  2. Measure current and voltage.
  3. Heat liquid until it vaporizes.
  4. Measure mass of vaporized liquid.
  5. Use energy input to find specific latent heat.
• How is specific latent heat of vaporization calculated?

  Using e = v * i * t / m
• What is the purpose of the condenser in the vaporization experiment?

  To collect and measure vaporized liquid