PHYSICS GROUP

RESEARCH
WHAT IS THE CALORIC THEORY?

• The caloric theory of heat states that changes in

temperature are due to an invisible fluid called
the “caloric” that flows between objects with
different temperatures.
WHAT IS THE KINETIC
THEORY?
• The kinetic theory of heat states that the particles
of matter (atoms, molecules) are in constant
motion. The kinetic energy they possess is
responsible for their temperature, or hotness.
 HOW IS THE PRINCIPLE OF CONSERVATION OF
ENERGY RELATED TO JOULE'S EXPERIMENT?

• Accurate measurement of temperature made Joule's

careful heat experiments possible. He was able to
measure and record tiny changes of temperature to
develop his law of the conservation of energy, which
says that energy can be converted between different
forms but cannot be destroyed.
 THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF
THERMOMETERS
• LAB THERMOMETER
• CLINICAL THERMOMETER
• THERMOCOUPLE THERMOMETER
 LAB THERMOMETER
A laboratory thermometer, which is
otherwise known as the lab thermometer, is
used for measuring temperatures other
than the human body temperature. It
ranges from -10˚C to 110˚C.
 CLINICAL
THERMOMETER
A clinical thermometer used to measure the
human body temperature. It is a long
narrow glass tube with a bulb containing
mercury at the end. The normal human body
temperature is 37˚C, which can fluctuate
between the ranges 35˚C to 42˚C.
 THERMOCOUPLE
THERMOMETER
A thermocouple is a sensor that measures
temperature. It consists of two different
types of metals, joined together at one end.
When the junction of the two metals is
heated or cooled, a voltage is created that
can be correlated back to the temperature.
 KINETIC THEORY OF MATTER
• SOLIDS:
- particles are closely packed together
- has the LEAST kinetic energy
• LIQUIDS
- particles are not closely packed together
- has more kinetic energy than solids
• GASES
- particles are loosely packed and move independently
- has the MOST kinetic energy
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN EVAPORATION
AND BOILING?

Evaporation is slower, occurs only from the

surface of the liquid, does not produce bubbles,
and leads to cooling. While boiling is faster, can
occur throughout the liquid, produces lots of
bubbles, and does not result in cooling.
 THE THREE TYPES OF THERMAL
ENERGY TRANSFER ARE:
• CONDUCTION
• CONVECTION
• RADIATION
 CONDUCTION
Conduction is the energy transfer through direct
contact.
EXAMPLE 1: heating a pan on a stove.
EXAMPLE 2: a metal spoon left in boiling water
becomes hot.
 CONVECTION
Convection is the energy transfer when a fluid,
such as air or a liquid, is heated and then travels
away from the source, it carries the thermal
energy along.
EXAMPLE 1: steam from iron.
EXAMPLE 2: a rising hot air balloon.
RADIATION
Radiation is the transfer of heat energy
through space by electromagnetic radiation.
EXAMPLE 1: standing near fire.
EXAMPLE 2: heat from the sun.
 ONE EXAMPLE OF GOOD AND BAD
ABSORBER OF THERMAL ENERGY/ HEAT

GOOD ABSORBER BAD ABSORBER

• Example 1: Iron kettle • Plastic
 ONE EXAMPLE OF GOOD AND BAD
EMITTER OF THERMAL ENERGY/ HEAT
GOOD EMITTER BAD EMITTER
• Example 1: Dull black can • Example 2: Silver / shiny can
EXPLAIN GREENHOUSE EFFECT AND
HOW CO2 IN THE ATMOSPHERE
AFFECTS GLOBAL WARMING
Carbon dioxide is called a greenhouse gas because it is one of the gases
in the atmosphere that traps heat to warm the Earth. Too much of this
greenhouse gas can cause causing global temperature to rise.
This could lead to potential future effects of global climate change
including frequent wildfires, longer periods of drought in some regions,
and an increase in the duration and intensity of tropical storms.