THERMAL PHYSICS
Heat Energy
Heat energy, also called thermal energy is a form of energy.
Definition: It is a form of energy whose particles move from one point to another as a
result of temperature difference.
Direction of heat flow: heat flows from a higher region to a lower region or from a
hotter body to a colder body.
Unit: joules(J) or kilojoules(kJ)
Sources of heat: sun, fire, chemical reactions, friction, electrical energy, nuclear
energy.
Effects of heat: rise in temperature
Changes an object’s shape.
Changes the size of object.
Changes an object’s colour.
Uses of heat energy: for cooking
For electricity generation.
For drying clothes etc
Temperature
Definition: the measure of the degree of hotness or coldness of a body. It measures
how hot or cold a body is.
From a molecular point of view, temperature is the average kinetic energy of individual
particles.
Unit: Degree Celsius (⁰C), Degree Fahrenheit (⁰F) or Kelvin
A hot body is said to have a higher temperature and a cold body is said to have a
lower temperature. As it absorbs heat, its temperature possibly increases and that of
the hot body, reduces.
Differences between Heat & Temperature
Heat Temperature
Form of energy that moves from one place Degree of hotness or coldness of a body.
to another as a result of temperature
difference.
Total kinetic and potential energy of all Average kinetic energy of molecules.
molecules of a molecule.
Flows from hotter to colder bodies. Rises when heated and falls when cooled
Measured with Calorimeter Measured with thermometer
Unit is joule (J) Unit is Degree Celsius (⁰C) or kelvin
Thermal Equilibrium: When heat flows from a hotter body to a colder body, at times a point
is reached called thermal equilibrium. This is when the amount of heat lost by the hot body
equals the amount of heat gained by the cold body
Thermal equilibrium is a point reached when two bodies in contact have no net flow
of heat between them. That is, they have the same temperature.
In thermodynamics, the zeroth law says that: If an object A is in thermal equilibrium with an
object B, and an object B is in thermal equilibrium with C, then object A is also in thermal
equilibrium with C.
A hot coffee losing heat to the environment till a point when equilibrium is reached.
Practical Concepts/Applications of Heat
(Leave at least 4 lines after each point for explanation)
Why air-conditioners are often located at the top.
Experiencing the effect of an air condition or fan after sweating.
Melting of ice.
Hot air balloon
Why houses are painted white
Why tankers are painted white.
Droplets of water forming on the surface of a cold bottle brought out of the fridge.
Water droplets forming in the internal glass surface of cars during rainfall.
Metal feeling colder than wood.
Refrigerators having their freezers at the top.
Opening windows to allow for ventilation.
Land and sea breeze
Temperature Scales
Upper Fixed Point/steam point: temperature of pure water boiling.
Lower Fixed Point/ice point: temperature of pure water freezing or pure ice melting.
Fundamental Interval: interval between upper and lower fixed point.
Celsius Scale/Centigrade Scale
Commonly used in most parts of the world.
0 ⁰C is the temperature at which pure water freezes or pure ice melts.
100 ⁰C is the temperature at which pure water boils.
The interval is divided into 100 equal parts called Fundamental Interval.
Fahrenheit Scale
Not commonly used.
32 ⁰F is the temperature at which pure water freezes or pure ice melts.
212 ⁰F is the temperature at which pure water boils.
The interval is divided into 180 equal parts called Fundamental Interval.
Kelvin Scale/Thermodynamic Scale / Ideal gas Scale
Does not involve negative temperature.
273 K is the temperature at which pure water freezes or pure ice melts.
373 F is the temperature at which pure water boils.
The interval is divided into 100 equal parts called Fundamental Interval.
The Upper fixed point on the kelvin scale is the triple point of water: the specific
temperature and pressure at which water exists in all three states at the same time.
The lowest possible temperature (zero kelvin) is Absolute Zero temperature: This is the
temperature at which all molecular motion ceases. It is the lowest theoretical temperature
possible on the kelvin scale. Practically, at 0K, particles have zero-point energy which allows
for some molecular motion.
Relationship between temperature scales
Pure water Pure water Fundamental Absolute
freezing boiling Interval zero
Celsius 0 ⁰C 100 ⁰C 100 ⁰C -273 ⁰C
Fahrenheit 32 ⁰F 212 ⁰F 180 ⁰F - 459.4 ⁰F
Kelvin 273 K 373 K 100 ⁰K OK
