MODULE 2

THERMAL PHYSICS / KINETIC THEORY

As the term indicates, thermal is the study of heat and kinetic is the movement thus movement of
heat as it moves through matter. Now remember that matter is conserved similar to energy. With
this in mind, everything changes form in the state of matter due to the existence and non
existence of heat.

Before the 1800’s heat was thought to be a fluid caloric and this is done through friction of
particles. However, through studies of Count Rumford, Humphry Davy and solidified by James
Prescott Joule for which the unit of heat and energy is named after. It is important to note that the
same idea of friction was further developed as mechanical work done. Now if work is done then
this implies force being applied by some distance, based on classical theory mentioned above. It
was Joule who confirmed that heat is a form of energy. Robert Brown demonstrated this
movement through Brownian motion which is the movement of particles as they collide with air
molecules. Diffusion of particles in air and liquid also demonstrate this factor of movement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL54E5CzQ-A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85y5ignSoHM

Phases of Matter

Matter exists in various forms such as solid, liquid, gas and plasma. Models of each state can be
examined through this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21CR01rlmv4

Thermometers vary in uses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoYOMi8-fTY

Thermocouples https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abC-7OIwgTU

Heat Transfer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK7G6l_K6sA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eizsm5V8c_c

The vacuum flask https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT4qZA3BAjI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG60os0EnPg

Convection currents https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mUU69ParFM

Expansion of solid, liquids and gases https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JuKqkZVgTU

Phase change implies a change from solid state to liquid state and on to gas state. Transitions of
states are expressed in this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc0ypeDELb0

Heat capacity, specific heat and latent (hidden) heat are determined through the mass of the
substance, the heat which is a form of energy thus heat energy, E H and the change in
temperature, ∆ T . Heat capacity, C of a material is related to the temperature the material can
take only while the specific heat capacity, c relates to both temperature and the mass or amount
of material being heated. Heating a material is energy which is work and when energy and work
is done over time it gives power. Here we can relate power to electrical heat energy or any other
heat energy through calculation of the heat energy for any process of energy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhNHJ7WdT8A

Latent heat can be expressed through examples of an iceberg melting in the ocean and turning
boiling water to steam. Here the temperature of the object does not change and two conditions of
fusion and vaporization. Fusion defines when the object goes from solid to liquid without
temperature change. This implies that there is a specific latent heat of fusion and vaporization.

Definitions: Specific latent heat of fusion of solid is heat energy required to change 1kg of
substance from solid to liquid without temperature change.

Eh
l= (Unit Joule per kilogram)
m

Specific latent heat of vaporization as it states 1kg change from liquid to vapor (same formula0.

Next we will examine gases as it relates to temperature, pressure and volume.