Temperature

About this lab: Temperature

Two bodies brought into contact and settling to thermal equilibrium with the energy flow shown, four thermometers calibrated at the ice and steam points that disagree in between while the constant-volume gas thermometer defines the thermodynamic scale and extrapolates to absolute zero, the heating curve from solid to gas with the energy for every stage from mcΔθ and mL, the electrical experiments that measure specific heat capacity and latent heat of vaporisation with losses included, and a thermometer bench showing how the constant-volume gas thermometer with its mercury manometer, liquid-in-glass, constant-pressure gas, platinum resistance, thermistor and thermocouple thermometers each work, with their calibration curves, ranges and errors.

Thermal equilibrium, the thermodynamic scale and absolute zero, the heating curve, measuring specific heat capacity and latent heat, and how seven thermometers work

Temperature is a free, browser-based simulation for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702 (topic 14 Temperature). The course is assessed in Paper 1 (multiple choice), Paper 2 (AS structured), Paper 3 (advanced practical), Paper 4 (A Level structured) and Paper 5 (planning, analysis and evaluation). There are 5 tabs, each a self-contained experiment with its own controls and live readings, and nothing to install: it runs on a laptop, tablet or classroom projector.

Syllabus coverage

• 14.1 Thermal equilibrium: Energy flow from hot to cold regions; Regions of equal temperature are in thermal equilibrium. Lessons: Thermal equilibrium.
• 14.2 Temperature scales: Properties used to measure temperature; Thermodynamic temperature: independent of substance; Converting between K and °C; absolute zero. Lessons: Temperature scales.
• 14.3 Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat: Specific heat capacity (definition and calculations); Specific latent heat: fusion vs vaporisation. Lessons: Specific heat and latent heat.

Full syllabus map: A Level Physics 9702 topic 14.

How to use this simulation

1. 1. Thermal equilibrium.
2. 2. Temperature scales.
3. 3. Heating curve, c and L.
4. 4. Measuring c and L.
5. 5. Thermometers.
6. The buttons at the end of the tab strip give the scene the whole window (Full screen, Hide controls) and, on a dark stage, a projector-friendly palette (Light scene). Many scenes also have drag handles: drag them to change the set-up directly.

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