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Internal energy and energy transfers
This topic separates temperature change from state change by linking energy transfer to particle kinetic energy, potential energy and internal energy.
34
Objectives
170
Flashcards
170
Questions
90 min
Study time
AQAGCSEPhysicsParticle model of matter
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34 objective pages available
Internal energy9 objectives
- Define internal energy as the total kinetic energy and potential energy of all particles in a system.
- Explain that heating changes the energy stored within a system by increasing particle energy.
- Describe how increasing temperature increases the average kinetic energy of particles.
- Describe how changing particle arrangement can change the potential energy of particles.
- Distinguish temperature from internal energy.
- Explain why energy transfer can change temperature without changing state.
- Explain why energy transfer can change state without changing temperature.
- Use particle motion and particle arrangement to describe changes in internal energy.
- Apply the conservation of energy idea to heating and changes of state.
Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity13 objectives
- Define specific heat capacity as the energy needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius.
- Recall and apply the equation change in thermal energy = mass x specific heat capacity x temperature change.
- Identify change in thermal energy in joules, mass in kilograms, specific heat capacity in joules per kilogram per degree Celsius and temperature change in degrees Celsius.
- Calculate thermal energy change when mass, specific heat capacity and temperature change are known.
- Calculate mass when thermal energy change, specific heat capacity and temperature change are known.
- Calculate specific heat capacity when energy change, mass and temperature change are known.
- Calculate temperature change when energy change, mass and specific heat capacity are known.
- Rearrange the specific heat capacity equation for any required variable.
- Required practical activity 1: determine the specific heat capacity of one or more materials.
- Describe why insulation is used in specific heat capacity experiments.
- Interpret temperature-time data from a specific heat capacity experiment.
- Apply MS 3b and MS 3c skills when rearranging and calculating with the specific heat capacity equation.
- Apply AT 1 and AT 5 skills when measuring temperature, mass and energy transfer.
Changes of state and specific latent heat12 objectives
- Define specific latent heat as the energy needed to change the state of one kilogram of a substance with no change in temperature.
- Distinguish specific latent heat of fusion from specific latent heat of vaporisation.
- Recall and apply the equation energy for a change of state = mass x specific latent heat.
- Identify energy in joules, mass in kilograms and specific latent heat in joules per kilogram.
- Calculate energy transferred during melting, freezing, boiling or condensing when mass and specific latent heat are known.
- Calculate mass when energy transferred and specific latent heat are known.
- Calculate specific latent heat when energy transferred and mass are known.
- Explain why temperature remains constant during a change of state even though energy is transferred.
- Explain that energy transferred during a change of state changes particle potential energy rather than average kinetic energy.
- Interpret heating and cooling graphs that show temperature changes and flat sections during changes of state.
- Apply MS 4a and MS 4c skills when interpreting graphs of temperature against time.
- Apply MS 3b and MS 3c skills when rearranging and calculating with the specific latent heat equation.
Key terms
internal energykinetic energyheatingtemperaturepotential energytemperature changeenergy transferparticle arrangementConservation of energyInternal energy changespecific heat capacitythermal energy
Exam tips
- Understand Internal Energy: Remember to define internal energy clearly as the total kinetic and potential energy of all particles in a system during your exam. Link your answer to Internal energy in Internal energy and energy transfers.
- Understand Heating Effects: Remember to focus on how heating increases the energy stored in a system by raising particle energy. Link your answer to Internal energy in Internal energy and energy transfers.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Internal Energy with Temperature: Internal energy is the total kinetic and potential energy of all particles in a system, while temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of those particles. It's important to distinguish between the two when discussing energy changes.
- Confusing Heating with Temperature Change: Emphasize that heating increases the energy of the particles, which can lead to changes in temperature or state, depending on the conditions.
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