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PAL (IGCSE) PHYSICS

Section 2 Thermal Physics

Thermal Physics
PAL (IGCSE) Single Science
Revision Book - Section 2

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PAL (IGCSE) PHYSICS


Section 2 Thermal Physics

Syllabus Content_______________________________

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PAL (IGCSE) PHYSICS


Section 2 Thermal Physics

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PAL (IGCSE) PHYSICS


Section 2 Thermal Physics

Syllabus Details________________________________
2.1 Simple kinetic molecular model of matter
2.1 (a) States of matter
Core
State the distinguishing properties of solids, liquids and gases

2.1 (b) Molecular model

Core
Describe qualitatively the molecular structure of solids, liquids and gases

Interpret the temperature of a gas in terms of the motion of its molecules

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Section 2 Thermal Physics
Describe qualitatively the pressure of a gas in terms of the motion of its
molecules

Describe qualitatively the effect of a change of temperature on the pressure of a


gas at constant volume

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Section 2 Thermal Physics
Show an understanding of the random motion of particles in a suspension as
evidence for the kinetic molecular model of matter
Describe this motion (sometimes known as Brownian motion) in terms of
random molecular
Bombardment

Smoke (oil droplets) are seen to move randomly


This motion is evidence that the air particles are also moving randomly and
colliding with the smoke droplets
The air particles cannot be seen but their motion can be understood by the
smoke droplets which can be seen

Supplement
Relate the properties of solids, liquids and gases to the forces and distances
between molecules and to the motion of the molecules

Property

Solid

Liquid

Gas

Forces between
particles
Distances
between
particles
Motion of
particles

Strong bonds
(strong forces)
Fixed and short

Strong bonds
(strong forces)
Short but not
fixed

Essentially no bonding
(v-weak forces)
Long

Vibrating only

Vibrating and
freely moving

Vibrating and freely


moving

Show an appreciation that massive particles may be moved by light, fastmoving molecules

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2.1 (c) Evaporation


Core
Describe evaporation in terms of the escape of more-energetic molecules from
the surface of a liquid
Relate evaporation to the consequent cooling

Supplement
Demonstrate an understanding of how temperature, surface area and draught
over a surface influence evaporation

Factor

Influence

Temperature

Increases evaporation as more particles


have sufficient kinetic energy to
escape the surface
Increases evaporation as removes
high KE particles from above the
surface of the liquid
Increases evaporation as more surface

Draught
Surface area
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Section 2 Thermal Physics
for particles to escape from

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Section 2 Thermal Physics

2.1 (d) Pressure changes


Core
Relate the change in volume of a gas to change in pressure applied to the gas at
constant temperature
Supplement
Recall and use the equation pV = constant at constant temperature

2.2 Thermal properties


2.2 (a) Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and
gases
Core
Describe qualitatively the thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

Solids

As the temperature increases the bonds in the solid vibrate


more
The average separation between particles increases and so
the bulk solid expands

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Liquids

As the temperature increases the motion of the particles


increase and so the kinetic energy
The average separation between the particles increases so the
volume of the bulk liquid increases

Gases
The volume / dimensions of a gas are fixed by the container
As the temperature increases the motion of the particles
increase and so the kinetic energy
The particles will collide with the container with more force
and more often
If the container dimensions are free to change the volume will
increase
Identify and explain some of the everyday applications and consequences of
thermal expansion

State

Application

Consequence

Solid

Railway lines

Railway lines to space to expand at


the end of the line
If heated can be removed more
easily
As the liquid expands on heating this
property can be used to measure
temperature
After a long journey the pressure in
your car tyres will increase as they
become hot when driving

Jam jar lids


Liquid

In thermometers

Gas

Car tyres

Describe qualitatively the effect of a change of temperature on the volume of a


gas at constant pressure

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Section 2 Thermal Physics

Supplement
Show an appreciation of the relative order of magnitude of the expansion of
solids, liquids and gases

State

Order of magnitude of
expansion

Solid
Liquid
Gas

Small
Small
Big

2.2 (b) Measurement of temperature


Core
Appreciate how a physical property that varies with temperature may be used
for the measurement of temperature, and state examples of such properties
Physics property
Volume of a liquid
Resistance

Effect of temperature
Increases with increasing
temperature
Increases with
temperature

Example
Mercury in glass
thermometer
Resistance thermometer

Recognise the need for and identify fixed points


Fixed Points:
Used to calibrate thermometers
Boiling and melting water can be used as these 2 changes occur at
fixed temperatures
The thermometer can be placed in boiling water to make the 100 oC
mark and then ice to make the 0oC mark
Describe the structure and action of liquid-in-glass thermometers
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Section 2 Thermal Physics

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Section 2 Thermal Physics
Supplement
Demonstrate understanding of sensitivity, range and linearity

Describe the structure of a thermocouple and show understanding of its use for
measuring high temperatures and those that vary rapidly

Thermocouple Thermometer
Consists of two metals connected as shown
When one junction between the two metal types is at a higher
temperature than the other a voltage is produced
This voltage is dependent on the temperature difference between
the junctions
They have a very large temperature range and can record
temperatures very quickly

2.2 (c) Thermal capacity


Core
Relate a rise in the temperature of a body to an increase in internal energy
Internal Energy = Random Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy of the
particles

If temperature rises this indicates that the Kinetic energy of the particles
has increased

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Section 2 Thermal Physics

If the kinetic energy of the particles increases so does the internal energy

Show an understanding of the term thermal capacity

Supplement
Describe an experiment to measure the specific heat capacity of a substance

Measure the temperature of a material before and after heating


Measure the energy input from heating by measuring the voltage,
current and time

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Section 2 Thermal Physics

Remember that the block should be insulated as energy will be lost to


the surroundings

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Section 2 Thermal Physics

2.2 (d) Melting and boiling


Core
Describe melting and boiling in terms of energy input without a change in
temperature

State the meaning of melting point and boiling point


Melting point: The temperature at which solid and liquid phases both exist in
equilibrium
Boiling point: The temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid to a
gas throughout the bulk of the liquid
Describe condensation and solidification
Condensation: As the kinetic energy of particles decreases the attractive forces
between them pull them together into droplets. Bonds are formed.
Solidification: As the kinetic energy of particles decreases permanent bonds
form between the particles so they are no longer able to move freely.
Supplement
Distinguish between boiling and evaporation

Property

Boiling

Evaporation

Temperature
Location
Particles

Only at the boiling point


Throughout the liquid
All particles

Temperature of liquid

Remains the same

At all temperatures
Only at the surface
Only the particles with
sufficient kinetic energy
Reduces

Use the terms latent heat of vaporisation and latent heat of fusion and give a
molecular interpretation of latent heat
LATENT HEAT OF VAPORISATION:
Energy change associated with
a substance
Boiling or Condensing

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Section 2 Thermal Physics
LATENT HEAT OF FUSION:
a substance

Energy change associated with


Melting or Solidifying

Molecular Interpretation: At a phase transition bonds are being broken or


formed. This gives an associated intake or release of
energy.
Describe an experiment to measure specific latent heats for steam and for ice
SPECIFIC LATENT HEAT OF STEAM

Take a volume of liquid to its boiling point


Measure the mass of the liquid
Boil the water for a fixed period and calculate the energy input by
measuring the voltage and current for the heater
Record the mass of the liquid after heating and calculate the mass turned
to a gas

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Section 2 Thermal Physics

SPECIFIC LATENT HEAT OF ICE

Heat the ice until it starts to melt


Capture the melted ice in the beaker on the balance
Heat for a fixed length of time and calculate the energy input by
measuring the voltage and current supplied to the heater
Measure the mass of water melted in that period

2.3 Transfer of thermal energy


2.3 (a) Conduction
Core
Describe experiments to demonstrate the properties of good and bad
conductors of heat

Coins or other objects can be attached to a object to be tested


One end of the object is then heated
The ability of the object to conduct heat can be judged by how
quickly the wax melts and so coins are released

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Section 2 Thermal Physics
Supplement
Give a simple molecular account of heat transfer in solids

2.3 (b) Convection


Core
Relate convection in fluids to density changes and describe experiments to
illustrate convection

2.3 (c) Radiation


Core
Identify infra-red radiation as part of the electromagnetic spectrum

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Section 2 Thermal Physics

Supplement
Describe experiments to show the properties of good and bad emitters and good
and bad absorbers of infra-red radiation
PROPERTIES OF ABSORBERS

PROPERTIES OF EMMITERS

2.3 (d) Consequences of energy transfer


Core
Identify and explain some of the everyday applications and consequences of
conduction, convection and radiation
Energy Transfer
Conduction

Applications
Saucepan or wok

Convection

Air conditioner

Radiation

Paint

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Consequences
Made of copper or other
good conductors
Normally placed on the
ceiling as cold air drops
In hot climates houses
are painted white

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