Thermal Physics IGCSE Physics: Complete Guide with Memory Tips
Thermal Physics IGCSE Physics: Complete Guide with Memory Tips
🌡️ Understanding Thermal Physics in IGCSE Physics
Thermal physics deals with heat, temperature, and energy transfer. This comprehensive guide covers kinetic theory, heat transfer methods, and thermal properties.
🧠 Memory Tips
Heat Transfer Methods: “Can Cats Radiate”
- Conduction: Through solids
- Convection: Through fluids
- Radiation: Through space
States of Matter: “Solid Liquid Gas”
- Solid: Fixed shape, fixed volume
- Liquid: No fixed shape, fixed volume
- Gas: No fixed shape, no fixed volume
Temperature Scales: “Celsius Kelvin Fahrenheit”
- Celsius: 0°C = freezing point of water
- Kelvin: 0K = absolute zero
- Fahrenheit: 32°F = freezing point of water
📚 Key Concepts
Kinetic Theory
- All matter made of moving particles
- Temperature: Average kinetic energy of particles
- Higher temperature: Faster particle movement
- Absolute zero: -273°C or 0K (particles stop moving)
Heat vs Temperature
- Heat: Total energy of particles (Joules)
- Temperature: Average kinetic energy (°C, K, °F)
- Heat capacity: Energy needed to raise temperature
- Specific heat capacity: Energy per kg per °C
Thermal Expansion
- Solids: Expand when heated
- Liquids: Expand more than solids
- Gases: Expand most
- Applications: Thermostats, bimetallic strips
Heat Transfer
Conduction
- Through solids: Particle to particle
- Good conductors: Metals (free electrons)
- Poor conductors: Wood, plastic, air
- No particle movement: Energy transfer only
Convection
- Through fluids: Liquids and gases
- Density changes: Hot fluid rises, cold sinks
- Convection currents: Circular motion
- Examples: Heating rooms, sea breezes
Radiation
- Electromagnetic waves: No medium needed
- All objects radiate: Hot objects radiate more
- Dark surfaces: Good absorbers and emitters
- Shiny surfaces: Good reflectors, poor emitters
🎯 IGCSE Exam Focus
Common Questions
- Explain heat transfer methods (6 marks)
- Calculate specific heat capacity (4 marks)
- Describe thermal expansion applications (5 marks)
- Compare conduction in different materials (4 marks)
Key Formulas
- Q = mcΔT (Heat energy)
- Q = mL (Latent heat)
- Efficiency = Useful energy out / Total energy in
Practical Applications
- Insulation: Reducing heat transfer
- Thermometers: Measuring temperature
- Engines: Converting heat to work
- Refrigeration: Removing heat
🔬 Thermal Properties
Specific Heat Capacity
- Definition: Energy to raise 1kg by 1°C
- Water: High specific heat capacity (4200 J/kg°C)
- Metals: Low specific heat capacity
- Applications: Cooling systems, climate
Latent Heat
- Definition: Energy for state changes
- No temperature change: During melting/boiling
- Latent heat of fusion: Solid to liquid
- Latent heat of vaporization: Liquid to gas
Thermal Conductivity
- Good conductors: Metals, dense materials
- Poor conductors: Gases, porous materials
- Insulators: Prevent heat transfer
- Applications: Building design, clothing
🏠 Practical Applications
Home Insulation
- Double glazing: Air gap reduces conduction
- Cavity walls: Air gap insulation
- Loft insulation: Reduces convection
- Reflective foil: Reduces radiation
Cooking Methods
- Conduction: Frying pan, grilling
- Convection: Ovens, boiling water
- Radiation: Grilling, microwaves
- Combination: Most cooking methods
Weather and Climate
- Land and sea breezes: Convection currents
- Greenhouse effect: Radiation trapping
- Thermal mass: Buildings store heat
- Evaporation: Cooling effect
🌡️ Temperature Measurement
Thermometers
- Liquid expansion: Mercury, alcohol
- Bimetallic strips: Different expansion rates
- Thermocouples: Electrical method
- Infrared: Radiation detection
Temperature Scales
- Celsius: 0°C to 100°C (water freezing to boiling)
- Kelvin: 273K to 373K (absolute scale)
- Conversion: K = °C + 273
⚡ Energy and Efficiency
Energy Transfer
- Heat engines: Heat to mechanical work
- Efficiency: Always less than 100%
- Waste heat: Unavoidable energy loss
- Carnot efficiency: Theoretical maximum
Energy Conservation
- First law: Energy cannot be created or destroyed
- Heat pumps: Move heat from cold to hot
- Refrigerators: Remove heat from inside
- Insulation: Reduce energy waste
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Written by
Tutopiya Physics Team
IGCSE Physics Specialists
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