Thermal Physics
Overview
This page is now a transition hub. The old broad Thermal Physics chapter has been split into two separate topics so the content is easier to study and maintain:
Use this page primarily as a navigation point during the transition.
Core Ideas
The split follows the natural syllabus boundary:
- Thermal Physics A focuses on macroscopic thermal ideas such as temperature scales, thermal equilibrium, heat capacity, latent heat, calorimetry, heating curves, and thermal practicals.
- Thermal Physics B focuses on microscopic and thermodynamic ideas such as kinetic theory, ideal gases, internal energy, the first law, thermodynamic processes, and p-V diagrams.
Exam Relevance
If a question is about thermometer calibration, mixing, latent heat, or electrical thermal methods, go to Thermal Physics A.
If a question is about gas laws, rms speed, internal energy of ideal gases, first-law sign conventions, or p-V graphs, go to Thermal Physics B.
Where To Go
Thermal Physics A
Use Thermal Physics A for:
- temperature and thermal equilibrium
- thermometric properties
- Celsius and Kelvin scales
- heat capacity and specific heat capacity
- calorimetry and mixing
- latent heat
- heating curves
- electrical determination of thermal quantities
Main support notes:
- Thermal Measurement and Scales
- Heat Capacity and Latent Heat
- Thermal Practicals
- Thermal Physics A Common Exam Traps
Thermal Physics B
Use Thermal Physics B for:
- kinetic theory of matter
- internal energy
- changes of state from particle viewpoint
- ideal gases and gas laws
- ideal gas equation
- rms speed
- work done by gases
- first law of thermodynamics
- thermodynamic processes
- p-V diagrams and cycles
Main support notes:
- Kinetic Theory and Ideal Gases
- First Law and Thermodynamic Processes
- p-V Diagrams and Cycles
- Thermal Physics B Common Exam Traps
Legacy Notes
Some older broad notes still remain in the repo as bridge material during migration, for example:
- Temperature and Heat
- Thermal Properties of Matter
- Kinetic Theory of Matter
- Ideal Gases
- First Law of Thermodynamics
- Thermodynamic Processes
- Thermal Physics Common Exam Traps
These are no longer the main canonical structure.
Links
- Thermal Physics A
- Thermal Physics B
- Thermal Measurement and Scales
- Heat Capacity and Latent Heat
- Kinetic Theory and Ideal Gases
- First Law and Thermodynamic Processes
- p-V Diagrams and Cycles
- Thermal Practicals
Summary
The old Thermal Physics chapter has been deliberately split into:
Use those two topics as the main revision route from now on.