2 Thermal physics The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 Kg of a
substance by 1 °C is called the specific heat capacity of the substance.
Matter can exist in three states – solid, liquid and gas.
The energy needed to heat a mass m of a substance by ∆θ degrees can be
Solids have a fixed shape and volume. Liquids have a fixed volume but ΔE
calculated using the equation c = mΔθ .
take the shape of their container. Gases expand to fill their container.
The kinetic model explains the behaviour of materials by describing what During a change of state, energy is supplied or given out but the
is happening to the particles of which they are made. temperature does not change.
According to the kinetic model, matter is made of moving particles that When a liquid evaporates the most energetic particles escape from the
are close together in solids and liquids, and far apart in gases. surface, so the liquid cools.
There are attractive forces between particles that act strongly when the Evaporation occurs at temperatures below the boiling point of the liquid. It
particles are close together. happens faster at higher temperatures, with a larger surface area or if there
is a draught across the surface.
In Brownian motion, the movement of water or air particles is revealed by
their effect on visible grains of pollen or smoke particles. Metals are good thermal conductors. Most non-metals are good insulators.
As the temperature of a substance increases, the kinetic energy of its Metals are good thermal conductors because they have free electrons.
particles increases.
Hot fluids are less dense than cold fluids. This causes convection currents.
The particles of a gas bombard the walls of its container. This causes
pressure. Increasing temperature increases pressure. Decreasing the Infrared radiation transfers thermal energy using electromagnetic waves.
volume increases the pressure. Infrared radiation does not require a medium (it can travel through a
Temperature can be measured using the Kelvin temperature scale which vacuum).
has its zero at −273 °C. Shiny, white surfaces reflect infrared radiation. They are poor emitters and
Pressure and volume are related by the equation pV = constant. absorbers of infrared radiation.
Dull, black surfaces are good absorbers and emitters of infrared radiation,
Solids, liquids and gases expand when their temperatures rise. but poor reflectors.
Solids, liquids and gases contract when their temperatures drop. The amount of infrared radiation emitted also depends on the surface area
Solids expand least because their particles are held together by strong and temperature of the object.
attractive forces.
Gases expand most as their particles are free to move. 3 Waves
Expansion can cause problems such as the bending of train tracks, but can Waves transfer energy without transferring matter.
also be useful, for example in thermometers. Waves can be clearly seen in water and springs.
Melting is the change from a solid to a liquid without any change in Waves can be transverse or longitudinal.
temperature.
Wave speed, frequency and wavelength are related by the equation v = f λ.
Boiling is the change from a liquid to a gas without a change in
temperature. Waves can be reflected and refracted.
Supplying heat energy increases the internal energy of a substance and its Waves can be diffracted when they pass through a gap or round an
temperature rise. obstacle.
The wave model can be used to explain reflection, refraction and
diffraction.
Maaungoodhoo School Physics Rivision Module 5