PHY 1020 - Chapter 2: Atoms and Heat, Part 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering subatomic particles, states of matter, heat flow mechanisms, thermal expansion, temperature scales, and wave speeds from PHY 1020 Lecture Notes.

Atom

The fundamental building block of matter, composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Proton

A positively charged subatomic particle located in the nucleus of an atom, classified as a baryon made of $3$ quarks.

Neutron

A neutral subatomic particle located in the nucleus of an atom, classified as a baryon made of $3$ quarks.

Electron

A negatively charged fundamental subatomic particle classified as an indivisible lepton.

Lepton

A category of fundamental elementary particles, including electrons, that are indivisible.

Baryon

A type of composite subatomic particle, such as a proton or neutron, made of $3$ quarks.

Meson

A type of subatomic particle composed of $2$ quarks.

Quark

Elementary particles that combine to form composite subatomic particles, such as baryons ($3$ quarks) and mesons ($2$ quarks).

Atomic Number

The number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom.

Atomic Mass

The total number of protons plus neutrons in an atom.

Heat

The energy felt due to molecular and atomistic movement and vibrations.

Absolute Zero ($0\,\text{K}$)

The coldest possible temperature ($0\,\text{K}$), at which all molecular motion stops.

Molecule

A particle formed by the combination of individual atoms.

Four States of Matter

The distinct physical forms that matter takes, consisting of solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

Kelvin ($\text{K}$)

The absolute temperature scale used in science where $0\,\text{K}$ represents zero molecular motion.

Degrees Celsius ($^\circ\text{C}$)

A standard temperature scale based on the properties of water.

Degrees Fahrenheit ($^\circ\text{F}$)

A common temperature scale based on brine and human body temperature.

Room Temperature

Standard ambient temperature equal to $68\,^\circ\text{F} = 20\,^\circ\text{C} = 298\,\text{K}$.

Conduction

Energy transfer through direct physical contact.

Convection

Energy transfer carried by a moving material, such as warm air circulating through a room.

Radiation

Energy transfer through empty space by light and charged particles.

Aerogel

An exceptional insulating material that does not transfer heat.

Thermal Expansion

The increase in volume and decrease in density of a material as it is heated.

Thermal Contraction

The decrease in volume and increase in density of a material as it cools.

Thermometer

A device that measures temperature by utilizing the thermal expansion of a liquid within a scaled meter.

Speed of Sound

The speed at which sound waves travel by jiggling molecules through a medium, equal to approximately $700\,\text{mph}$, $340\,\text{m/s}$, $1000\,\text{ft/s}$, or $1/5\,\text{mile/s}$.

Mach 1

A unit of speed equal to the speed of sound, approximately $700\,\text{mph}$.

Speed of Light

The speed at which light travels, equal to $3 \times 10^8\,\text{m/s}$ or $186,000\,\text{miles/s}$, which is significantly faster than the speed of sound.