LucidSTEM
IGCSE 0625 · THERMAL · 2.2
Thermal properties & temperature
Thermal expansion, specific heat capacity, changes of state and latent heat, and evaporation. It builds directly on the particle model and on energy and mass, and feeds into how energy is transferred.
TOPIC 2.2: THERMAL PROPERTIES & TEMPERATURE
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE PHYSICS 0625 · PATHWAYS
TheLucidSTEM · thelucidstem.com
BUILDS ON
2.1
Particle model
1.7
Energy
1.3
Mass
LEADS TO
2.3
Energy transfer
Heating & cooling systems
THERMAL
PROPERTIES
1 · THERMAL EXPANSION
Heating makes particles vibrate more and move
a little further apart, so materials expand.
Gases expand most, then liquids, then solids.
Used in liquid-in-glass thermometers.
Gaps are left in bridges and railway lines.
cool: flat
hot: bends toward the metal that expands less
bimetallic
strip
2 · SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY
EXTENDED
The energy needed to raise the temperature of
1 kg of a substance by 1 °C.
E = m c Δθ
Δθ = change in
temperature
metal block
thermometer
energy in
3 · MELTING, BOILING & LATENT HEAT
During a change of state the temperature stays
constant: energy goes into breaking bonds.
θ
time
melting
boiling
The energy moved in a change of state:
E = m L
L = latent heat (Extended)
4 · EVAPORATION
EXTENDED
Evaporation happens from the surface of a liquid
at any temperature, not just at boiling.
fastest molecule escapes
The fastest molecules leave,
so the average energy left
falls and the liquid cools.
Faster when hotter, with more
surface area, a draught, and
drier (less humid) air.
TOPIC 2.2: THERMAL PROPERTIES & TEMPERATURE
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE PHYSICS 0625 · PATHWAYS
TheLucidSTEM · thelucidstem.com
BUILDS ON
2.1
Particle model
1.7
Energy
1.3
Mass
LEADS TO
2.3
Energy transfer
Heating & cooling systems
THERMAL
PROPERTIES
1 · THERMAL EXPANSION
Heating makes particles vibrate more and move
a little further apart, so materials expand.
Gases expand most, then liquids, then solids.
Used in liquid-in-glass thermometers.
Gaps are left in bridges and railway lines.
cool: flat
hot: bends toward the metal that expands less
bimetallic
strip
2 · SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY
EXTENDED
The energy needed to raise the temperature of
1 kg of a substance by 1 °C.
E = m c Δθ
Δθ = change in
temperature
metal block
thermometer
energy in
3 · MELTING, BOILING & LATENT HEAT
During a change of state the temperature stays
constant: energy goes into breaking bonds.
θ
time
melting
boiling
The energy moved in a change of state:
E = m L
L = latent heat (Extended)
4 · EVAPORATION
EXTENDED
Evaporation happens from the surface of a liquid
at any temperature, not just at boiling.
fastest molecule escapes
The fastest molecules leave,
so the average energy left
falls and the liquid cools.
Faster when hotter, with more
surface area, a draught, and
drier (less humid) air.