Thermal Physics Flashcards
What is the lower fixed point of the celsius scale?
0- pure melting ice
What is the upper fixed point of the celsius scale?
100- steam from boiling water under atmospheric pressure
What are the 2 fixed points in the kelvin scale?
- 0K: lowest possible temperature
- 273.16K: triple point of water
How do you convert kelvins to degrees celsius?
- 273
How do you convert degrees celsius to kelvins?
+ 273
When does thermal equilibrium occur?
no net transfer of thermal energy between two objects
How do particles act in a solid?
- vibrate about fixed positions close together
- mixture of Ek and Ep
How do particles act in a liquid?
- can move around one another
- greater Ek and Ep than solid
- greater mean separation than solid
- smaller attractive electrostatic
How do particles act in a gas?
- move freely and rapidly
- collide elastically with each other
- move randomly with different speeds and directions
- greater mean separation than liquid
- negligible electrostatic force
- max Ep of 0
What is Brownian motion?
random motion of a particle as a result of collisions with surrounding gaseous molecules
Within Brownian motion what have smaller speeds than air particles?
more massive smoke particles
What happens in terms of state when temperature remains the same?
state change
When does kinetic energy increase during state changes?
as the substances temperature increases
When does potential energy increase during state changes?
as the states change
When does internal energy increase during state changes?
constantly increases
