GCSE Physics – Particle Model

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts in the model of particles, energy transfer, and thermal properties, essential for understanding GCSE Physics.

Kinetic Theory

The model that explains the behavior of particles in solids, liquids, and gases.

Thermal Energy Transfer

The process through which thermal energy is moved from one place to another, involving conduction, convection, and radiation.

Specific Heat Capacity (SHC)

The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of a substance by 1°C.

Specific Latent Heat

The amount of energy required to change the state of 1 kilogram of a substance without changing its temperature.

Conduction

The transfer of thermal energy through direct contact of particles in solids.

Convection

The transfer of thermal energy in fluids through the movement of particles, causing hot, less dense fluid to rise and cool, denser fluid to sink.

Evaporation

The process where molecules at the surface of a liquid gain enough energy to become a gas.

Insulator

A material that does not conduct heat effectively, preventing heat loss.

Black Body Radiation

An idealized physical object that absorbs all incoming radiation, with no reflection.

Internal Energy

The total kinetic and potential energy of the particles within a system.

Change of State

The physical process where a substance transitions between solid, liquid, and gas phases.

U-Value

A measure of how effective a material is as an insulator, represented in W/m²/°C.

Energy Equation for SHC

$E = mc heta$, where E is energy, m is mass, c is specific heat capacity, and θ is temperature change.

Energy Equation for SLH

$E = mL$, where E is energy, m is mass, and L is specific latent heat.

Cooling Curve

A graph that shows the change in temperature of a substance as it cools.

Heating Curve

A graph that shows the change in temperature of a substance as it is heated.

Free Electrons

Electrons in metals that can move freely, aiding in the conduction of heat.

Payback Time

The time it takes to recover the cost of insulation based on annual savings from reduced heating bills.

Convection Current

A circular pattern of fluid motion caused by the heating and cooling of the fluid.