Conceptual Physics: Temperature, Heat, and Expansion

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and principles related to temperature, heat, and expansion as discussed in the lecture.

Temperature

A quantity that corresponds to the warmth or coldness of an object, measured by a thermometer.

Thermal Equilibrium

The state when two objects reach the same average kinetic energy per molecule or atom.

Specific Heat Capacity

The quantity of heat required to change the temperature of a unit mass of the substance by 1 degree Celsius.

Thermal Expansion

The increase in volume of a substance due to an increase in temperature.

Calorie

Unit of heat defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius.

Kinetic Energy

Energy that a body possesses due to its motion; related to temperature as average molecular motion.

Infrared Thermometer

A device that measures temperature by sensing infrared radiation emitted by objects.

Celsius Scale

Temperature scale where 0 is the freezing point of water and 100 is the boiling point.

Fahrenheit Scale

Temperature scale where 32 is the freezing point of water and 212 is the boiling point.

Kelvin Scale

Temperature scale where 0 K is absolute zero; intervals are the same as Celsius degrees.

Thermal Energy

Internal energy transferred from one body to another due to a temperature difference.

Thermal Capacity

The ability of a substance to store energy based on specific heat.

Bimetallic Strip

A device made of two different metals that bend due to differential thermal expansion.

Expansion Joints

Gaps used in construction to allow for thermal expansion of materials.

Density of Ice

Ice is less dense than liquid water due to its open-structured crystal formation.

Heat Flow

Movement of thermal energy from a high-temperature substance to a low-temperature substance.