phy notes thermal (1 - 10)

Key Terms
Boiling point

Boiling point is the temperature at which a substance changes state from a liquid to a gas.

Boiling point is a characteristic property of a substance, determined by the strength of

intermolecular forces.
At the boiling point, the vapor pressure of the substance is equal to the external pressure.
Boiling point varies with changes in altitude or pressure, but it remains constant for a specific
substance at a given pressure.
The boiling point of a substance can be affected by impurities or the presence of solutes in
the liquid.

Boyle's law

Boyle's law states that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume at constant
temperature and amount of gas.

The law was derived by Robert Boyle in the 17th century.

The relationship between pressure and volume can be expressed by the equation P1V1 =
P2V2.
Boyle's law is based on the idea that gas particles are in constant motion and collide with
each other and the walls of the container.
The law is applicable to ideal gases under conditions of constant temperature and amount of
gas.

Conduction

Conduction refers to the transfer of heat or electricity through a material by direct contact or
collision between particles.

Conduction occurs because particles in a material have kinetic energy, causing them to
vibrate and collide with neighboring particles.
The rate of conduction is influenced by the type of material, its temperature, and the
temperature difference between the two ends of the material.
Good conductors, such as metals, allow heat or electricity to pass through easily, while
insulators, like rubber or wood, restrict the flow.
Conduction is an important mechanism in everyday life, including the cooking of food, the
functioning of electrical circuits, and the thermal insulation of buildings.
Convection

Convection is a process of heat transfer in which heat is transferred through the movement of
fluids, such as liquids or gases.

The warmer fluid rises due to its lower density and is replaced by cooler fluid, creating a
convection current.
Convection occurs in everyday situations, such as boiling water or air currents in a room.
The rate of convection is influenced by factors like temperature difference, fluid density, and
the viscosity of the fluid.
Convection is an important mechanism for energy transfer in the Earth's atmosphere and
oceans, driving weather patterns and ocean currents.

Gas

Gas is a state of matter that consists of particles that are not packed tightly together and are
free to move around.

A gas does not have a definite shape or volume, as it takes the shape of its container and
expands to fill the entire volume.
The behavior of gases can be described using gas laws, such as Boyle's law, Charles' law, and
the ideal gas law.
Gases are compressible, meaning their volume can be reduced under pressure.
Gas particles have high kinetic energy and move in random, rapid motion, colliding with each
other and the walls of their container.

Kelvin

Kelvin is the unit of measurement for temperature in the International System of Units (SI).

Kelvin is based on the absolute zero temperature, where all molecular motion ceases.
To convert Celsius to Kelvin, add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature.
The Kelvin scale is commonly used in scientific applications, especially in fields like
chemistry and meteorology.
The abbreviation for Kelvin is K.

Kinetic particle model

The kinetic particle model explains the behavior of matter by assuming that particles are in
constant motion. It helps understand concepts like temperature, pressure, and diffusion.

The model assumes that particles have mass and are constantly moving in random
directions.
Particles in a substance move faster and have more energy at higher temperatures.
 The pressure of a gas is caused by the constant collisions of its particles with the walls of the
container.
Diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of
lower concentration.

Liquid

A liquid is a state of matter with a definite volume but no definite shape.

Liquids can flow and take the shape of their container.

Liquids have particles that are close together but not as tightly packed as in a solid.
Examples of liquids include water, milk, and oil.
Liquids are characterized by having a free surface and being able to transmit shear forces.

Melting point

Melting point is the temperature at which a solid substance changes into a liquid state.

The melting point can vary depending on the substance.

The melting point of a substance is determined by the strength of the attractive forces
between its particles.
The melting point is a physical property used to identify and classify substances.
A substance will remain at its melting point until all of it has turned into a liquid.

Radiation

Radiation refers to the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic

particles.

Radiation can be natural, such as sunlight and radioactive decay, or artificial, such as X-rays
and nuclear power.
Radiation can be ionizing or non-ionizing, depending on its ability to remove electrons from
atoms.
It is used in various applications, such as medical imaging, communication technology, and
power generation.
Understanding radiation is crucial for evaluating potential health effects and implementing
safety measures in radioactive environments.

Solid

In physics, a solid refers to a substance with a definite shape and volume, characterized by
tightly packed particles.

A solid maintains its shape and volume under normal conditions.

 The particles in a solid are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern.
Solids have a strong resistance to changes in shape or volume.
The intermolecular forces in a solid are stronger than those in liquids or gases.

Thermal energy

Thermal energy is the energy in an object or system due to the motion of its particles.

It is a form of kinetic energy that is associated with the temperature of an object.

The total thermal energy of an object depends on its mass, temperature, and specific heat
capacity.
Thermal energy can be transferred through conduction, convection, and radiation.
It is measured in units of joules (J).