Chapter 6: Thermal Energy and Thermodynamics

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from Chapter 6 on thermal energy and thermodynamics, including definitions of temperature, different temperature scales, heat, specific heat capacity, and important formulas.

Temperature

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

Thermometer

An instrument that measures temperature by the expansion or contraction of a liquid.

Thermal Equilibrium

The state when two objects in contact reach the same average kinetic energy per particle.

Celsius Scale

A temperature scale with 0 °C as the freezing point and 100 °C as the boiling point of water.

Fahrenheit Scale

A temperature scale with 32 °F as the freezing point and 212 °F as the boiling point of water.

Kelvin Scale

A temperature scale with 273 K as the freezing point and 373 K as the boiling point of water.

Absolute Zero

The lowest limit of temperature at 0 K, where atoms or molecules have lost all available kinetic energy.

Heat

Defined as a flow of thermal energy due to a temperature difference.

Calorie

The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 Celsius degree.

Kilocalorie

The heat needed to change the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius; also known as Calorie (with a capital C).

Specific Heat Capacity

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a material by one degree.

Q = m c ΔT

The formula that relates the quantity of heat to mass, specific heat capacity, and change in temperature.