Thermal & Mechanical Properties of Matter

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in thermal and mechanical properties of matter as outlined in the study notes.

Empirical Temperature Scale

A scale used to calculate temperature using two reference points: the ice point (0°C) and the steam point (100°C).

Thermometric Property

A property of a material that varies continuously with temperature, sensitive to small changes, and responds rapidly to temperature change.

Heat Capacity (C)

Energy needed to raise the temperature of an object by 1°C, calculated as C = Q / ΔT.

Specific Heat Capacity (c)

Energy needed to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1°C, calculated as c = Q / (m ΔT).

Latent Heat

The energy required to change the state of 1 kg of a substance without a change in temperature.

Conduction

The transfer of heat through a material via direct contact of particles, primarily through molecular vibrations.

Convection

The transfer of heat through liquids and gases by the bulk movement of the fluid itself.

Radiation

The transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves without the need for a medium.

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transferred or converted.

Young's Modulus (E)

The ratio of stress to strain, defining the stiffness of a material.

Stress (σ)

Force per unit area, calculated as σ = F / A.

Strain (ε)

Fractional change in length of a material, calculated as ε = e / l.

Absolute Zero (0 K)

The lowest possible temperature at which all molecular motion stops, equivalent to -273.15°C.

Triple Point of Water

The fixed reference point for the Kelvin scale at 0.01°C (273.16 K).

Kinetic Theory of Gases

Explains the behavior of gases by considering the motion of their molecules.

Avogadro's Constant (NA)

6.02 × 10²³, the number of atoms in 0.012 kg of carbon-12.

Ideal Gas Equation of State

The equation pV = nRT relating pressure, volume, and temperature of a gas.

Heat Transfer

The process of energy movement from one place to another through conduction, convection, and radiation.

Hooke's Law

States that the extension of a spring (or wire) is proportional to the load applied to it, up to the elastic limit.

Ductile Material

Material that shows a clear elastic region and plastic deformation before breaking, can be drawn into wires.

Brittle Material

Material that stretches very little and snaps suddenly, exhibiting no plastic region.