Thermal energy transfers

Learning objectives

Distinguish temperature, internal energy and thermal energy transfer, explain absolute temperature as a measure of the average random kinetic energy of the particles of a substance, and convert between degrees Celsius and kelvin

Apply Q = mcΔT with specific heat capacity in J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ and Q = mL with specific latent heat of fusion or vaporisation in J kg⁻¹, and account for the flat sections of a heating curve in terms of potential energy of the particles

Describe conduction, convection and thermal radiation as mechanisms of energy transfer, explaining conduction in terms of particle collisions and the movement of free electrons in a metal

Apply the conduction equation ΔQ/Δt = kAΔT/Δx, and explain how thermal conductivity, cross-sectional area and thickness determine the rate of energy transfer through a material

Apply the Stefan–Boltzmann law L = σAT⁴ and Wien's displacement law λmax T = 2.90 × 10⁻³ m K to a black body, and use emissivity to treat a real radiating surface

Design and carry out an experiment to measure a specific heat capacity or a specific latent heat by electrical heating, identifying the main systematic errors and correcting for energy transferred to the surroundings