Thermal Physics covers heat, temperature, and energy transfer mechanisms. Students learn the difference between heat and temperature, calculate energy changes, and explain conduction, convection, and radiation.
Temperature: degree of hotness (measured in °C). Thermal energy always flows from hotter to cooler objects until thermal equilibrium. Thermal expansion: solids, liquids, and gases expand when heated (particles vibrate more, take up more space). Applications: bimetallic strips, expansion gaps in bridges, liquid-in-glass thermometers.
Specific heat capacity c: energy to raise 1 kg by 1°C. Q = mcΔT. Water: c = 4200 J/kg°C. Specific latent heat L: energy to change state of 1 kg at constant temperature. Q = mL. Latent heat of fusion (solid ↔ liquid). Latent heat of vaporisation (liquid ↔ gas). During phase changes, temperature stays constant — energy breaks/forms bonds.
Conduction: through solids by particle vibrations and free electrons (metals are best conductors). Convection: through fluids by movement of heated fluid (less dense fluid rises). Radiation: electromagnetic waves (infrared) — no medium needed. Dark, matt surfaces: good absorbers and emitters. Shiny, light surfaces: good reflectors, poor absorbers.
During boiling, the temperature remains constant because all the energy supplied goes into breaking intermolecular bonds (changing liquid to gas) rather than increasing kinetic energy of molecules. This energy is the latent heat of vaporisation. Once all the substance has changed state, the temperature can rise again.
Book a Trial + Diagnostic session. Get a personalized Learning Path with clear milestones, tutor match, and a plan recommendation — all within 24 hours.
Book Trial + Diagnostic →