Level 5 · Science S5.12

Thermal physics

Thermal physics links the motion of tiny particles to temperature, pressure and heat.

Planned. This book is not written yet. Below is its plan, which a teacher can already use.

You are ready for this book if

You can calculate the energy needed to heat water using specific heat capacity.

  • This book S5.12 Thermal physics
  • One step down S4.10 Waves

The plan

  1. S5.12.1 Internal energy and temperature
    • Explain internal energy as the kinetic and potential energy of particles
    • Convert between Celsius and kelvin and explain absolute zero
  2. S5.12.2 Specific and latent heat
    • Calculate the energy for heating and for a change of state
    • Interpret a heating curve and its flat sections
  3. S5.12.3 The gas laws
    • Apply Boyle's law, Charles's law and the pressure law
    • Use the ideal gas equation with moles and with molecules
  4. S5.12.4 Kinetic theory
    • Derive gas pressure from molecules hitting a wall
    • Link the mean kinetic energy of molecules to temperature
  5. S5.12.5 The laws of thermodynamics
    • Apply the first law to heating and to work done on a gas
    • Find work done from the area under a pressure and volume graph
  6. S5.12.6 Heat engines and heat pumps
    • Calculate the greatest possible efficiency of a heat engine
    • Explain how a refrigerator moves heat from cold to hot
  7. S5.12.7 Rates of heat transfer
    • Calculate heat flow through a wall using thermal conductivity
    • Explain how evaporative coolers and clay pots use latent heat

For parents and teachers

Level 5 fits learners who can already: read a textbook. use functions and graphs. In many schools that is about 17 to 20, but start wherever the learner is.

Strand: Energy, light and sound. Written and drawn by attnom. Free to read, print and share.