PART 1: THERMODYNAMICS

 Explain the difference between thermal energy and heat, and how is heat transferred
between regions of different temperatures?
Answer: Thermal energy refers to the total energy stored in a body, while heat is the transfer of
thermal energy from a region of high temperature to a region of lower temperature via atomic
collisions.
 What is temperature and how is it related to the average kinetic energy of molecules in an
object?
Does temperature reflect the total random kinetic energy or the average value? Answer: Temperature
is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules in an object. It reflects the average value
of the random kinetic energy, not the total amount.
 How does temperature indicate the ability of randomly moving atoms/molecules to impart
thermal energy to an object? Provide an example.
Answer: Temperature indicates the ability of randomly moving atoms/molecules to impart thermal
energy by influencing the speed and intensity of molecular collisions. Higher temperature means
higher kinetic energy, resulting in more energetic collisions and greater energy transfer. For example,
a hot metal rod placed in contact with a cooler object will transfer heat until both objects reach
thermal equilibrium.
 Define thermal equilibrium and explain the Zeroth Law of thermodynamics in relation to
thermal equilibrium.
Answer: Thermal equilibrium occurs when two bodies in thermal contact have no net flow of heat
between them. The Zeroth Law of thermodynamics states that if two bodies (A and B) are separately
in thermal equilibrium with a third body (C), then A and B are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
 Describe the three different ways heat energy can be transferred between bodies: conduction,
convection, and radiation. Provide examples for each.
Answer: Heat energy can be transferred through conduction, which occurs when two objects are in
direct contact (e.g., touching a hot pan). Convection involves heat transfer through currents in a fluid
(e.g., boiling water). Radiation, on the other hand, involves the emission and absorption of
electromagnetic radiation, and it does not require a medium for transfer (e.g., feeling the warmth of
the sun's rays).
 Explain how conduction transfers heat energy between two objects in direct contact. What
happens at the molecular level during conduction?
Answer: During conduction, heat energy is transferred between two objects in direct contact through
atomic or molecular collisions. The molecules of the hotter object collide with the molecules of the
colder object, transferring kinetic energy and causing the colder object to warm up.
 Describe how convection transfers heat energy through currents in a fluid. What type of
substances can participate in convection?
Answer: Convection transfers heat energy through the movement of currents in a fluid (liquid or gas).
When the fluid near a heat source is heated, it becomes less dense and rises, while the cooler fluid
descends to replace it. This creates a continuous circulation of fluid, transferring heat energy.
Substances such as air, water, and other fluids can participate in convection.
 Discuss radiation as a heat transfer process. Why is a medium not necessary for heat transfer
through radiation? How does an object behave in terms of absorption and radiation at thermal
equilibrium?
Answer: Radiation is the process of heat transfer through the emission and absorption of
electromagnetic radiation. A medium is not necessary for radiation because electromagnetic waves
can travel through vacuum. At thermal equilibrium, an object both absorbs and radiates
electromagnetic radiation equally, resulting in a balance between the energy gained and lost.
 How are temperature scales developed? Define fixed points and give examples of fixed points
used in temperature scales
. Answer: Temperature scales are developed based on observing physical events at fixed points. Fixed
points are specific temperatures at which consistent physical occurrences always happen. Examples of
fixed points used in temperature scales include the ice point (temperature at which ice can exist in
equilibrium with water) and the steam point (temperature at which pure water can exist in equilibrium
with its water vapor).
 Explain the concept of absolute zero and its significance. Can absolute zero be achieved?
Provide examples of experiments conducted near absolute zero.
Answer: Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature, occurring at -273.15°C or 0 Kelvin (K). At
absolute zero, there is no movement of individual atoms/molecules, and no more thermal energy can
be removed from a system. While absolute zero cannot be achieved, experiments have managed to
reach temperatures near absolute zero, such as temperatures below 1 nK (nanokelvin).
 Define the triple point of water and its importance. What are the specific conditions
(temperature and pressure) at which the three phases of water can coexist in equilibrium?
Answer: The triple point of water refers to the unique combination of temperature and pressure at
which all three phases of water (ice, pure water, and water vapor) can coexist in equilibrium. The
specific conditions of the triple point are approximately 0.01 °C and 4.58 mm Hg (mercury) or
611.657 Pa (Pascal).
 Describe the Celsius scale and its reference points. How is the Celsius scale calibrated using
the ice and steam points? Explain the division of the liquid column to create the Celsius scale
and its limitations.
Answer: The Celsius scale is a temperature scale that uses the ice and steam points of water as its
reference points. The ice point is set at 0°C, while the steam point is set at 100°C. To calibrate the
Celsius scale, a thermometer is placed in thermal contact with natural systems at these two fixed
points. The length of the liquid column between the two points is divided into 100 equal segments,
creating the Celsius scale, where each segment represents a change of 1°C in temperature. However,
the Celsius scale has limitations due to variations in thermal expansion properties of different liquids,
causing discrepancies between thermometers at values away from the fixed points