Physics

Chapter 4
HEAT

Knowledge Part A
What is meant by
heat?
temperature?
thermal equilibrium? ( the characteristics)
Specific heat capacity?
Latent heat of fusion or vaporisation?

Knowledge Part B ( formulae)

Q = Pt
Q = mc
Q = ml
Student will be ask the meaning of each of
symbols and which situation to apply for
each of this formula.

Understanding
Graph of temperature against time
( Heating / cooling curve)
T/oC
Liquid gas
Q = ml

Solid
liquid
Q = ml
Q = mc

Q = mc
gaseous state

Stress on
the change of temperature (
Q = mc
liquid state= mc)
Constant temperature ( Q = m
Phase changes
Reminder that Q = Pt

Solid state
t/ minutes

Understanding

Sea breeze

i.

The specific heat capacity of land is

lower than that of sea.
During daytime, the air above land
is hotter than the air above the sea.
Since hot air is less dense than cold
air, it rises upward.
Cool air from the sea, known as sea
breeze then flows to land replacing
the hot air.

ii.
iii.
iv.

A similar picture featuring land

breeze is given and student is
asked to explain the phenomenon
as shown above.

Understanding
Importance of low specific heat capacity and high
capacity.
Low c , conductor, for cooking utensils ( made from
metal), heats up faster, bigger change in temperature.
High c, insulator, for pot handle ( made from wood,
plastic), store more heat, slower change in temperature.
This will help to answer question on decision making
( paper 2 section C )
e.g. to choose a cooking utensil
material with low c is chosen because of it heats up
faster.
material with low density is chosen because it is
lighter making it more portable.

Paper 3
A. Reading of a thermometer.
Given diagrams of thermometers taken at different
time , the student is able to read and write down to
correct decimal places and units for each of these
diagrams.
B. Tabulate data :
Refer to construct 3 in PEKA Physics
C. Transferring of data or plotting of graph.
Labeling of axes with symbols and units
Correct scale
Transfer the data accurately
Drawing of a best fitted/smooth line/ curve

D.

Information from the graph

State relationship between variables
Calculate gradient and write down the units.
Show how to get the values of y for given values of x
and vice versa. (using dotted line)
Extrapolation of graph.