Thermal Physics

IGCSE Cambridge Syllabus (2020-2021) Area 2 on 'Thermal Physics'

Scope:

2.1 Simple Kinetic Molecular Model of Matter

.1 States of Matter

.2 Molecular Model (of Matter)

.3 Evaporation

.4 Pressure Changes (in Gases)

2.2 Thermal Properties and Temperature

.1 Thermal Expansion (and Contraction) of Solids, Liquids and Gases

.2 Measurement of Temperature

.3 Thermal Capacity - Heat Capacity (and Specific Heat Capacity)

.4 Melting and Boiling

2.3 Thermal Processes

.1 Conduction

.2 Convection

.3 Radiation

.4 Consequences of Heat Transfer

Heat / Thermal Physics

A)  IGCSE Syllabus: Thermal Physics

B)  SPM: Form 4 Chapter 4 - Heat

Thermal Physics / Heat

Areas Covered (in upcoming posts):

1.    Introduction: Thermal Energy of Matter - Temperature,Mass and Heat Capacities

2.    Kinetic Molecular (Particle) Model of Matter

3.    Evaporation and Boiling

4.    Gas and Gas Laws – Pressure, Volume and Temperature

A)      Pressure and Volume (Boyle’s Law)

a.       Pressure and Volume Relationship

b.      Applications

B)       Pressure and Temperature (Pressure Law)

a.       Pressure and Temperature Relationship

b.      Applications (balloon bursts when subject to heat, etc.)

C)      Volume and Temperature (Charles’ Law)

a.       Pressure and Volume Relationship

b.      Applications (hot air balloon, etc.)

(Do the above gas laws explain why pressure increases when we pump more air into, say, a ball or a tyre? the n in the ideal gas law pv = nRT can explain the missing factor) 

5.    Thermal Expansion: Solid, Liquid and Gas

6.    Thermal Quantities – Temperature, Heat Capacities & Latent Heat:

A)      Temperature

B)       Heat Capacity and Specific Heat Capacity

a.       Heat Capacity

b.      Specific Heat Capacity

c.       Applications of Specific Heat Capacity

C)      Latent Heat and Specific Latent Heat

a.       Latent Heat

b.      Heating Curve

c.       Cooling Curve

d.      Specific Latent Heat

                                                                 i      Specific Latent Heat of Fusion

                                                                 i      Specific Latent Heat of Vaporisation

e.       Applications of Specific Latent Heat