DP Physics (last assessment 2024)
Syllabus sections »

B.2 – Thermodynamics

Description

Nature of science:

Variety of perspectives: With three alternative and equivalent statements of the second law of thermodynamics, this area of physics demonstrates the collaboration and testing involved in confirming abstract notions such as this. (4.1)

Understandings:

  • The first law of thermodynamics
  • The second law of thermodynamics
  • Entropy
  • Cyclic processes and pV diagrams
  • Isovolumetric, isobaric, isothermal and adiabatic processes
  • Carnot cycle
  • Thermal efficiency

Applications and skills:

  • Describing the first law of thermodynamics as a statement of conservation of energy
  • Explaining sign convention used when stating the first law of thermodynamics as 
  • Solving problems involving the first law of thermodynamics
  • Describing the second law of thermodynamics in Clausius form, Kelvin form and as a consequence of entropy
  • Describing examples of processes in terms of entropy change
  • Solving problems involving entropy changes
  • Sketching and interpreting cyclic processes
  • Solving problems for adiabatic processes for monatomic gases using  = constant
  • Solving problems involving thermal efficiency

Guidance:

  • If cycles other than the Carnot cycle are used quantitatively, full details will be provided
  • Only graphical analysis will be required for determination of work done on a pVdiagram when pressure is not constant

Data booklet reference:

 

International-mindedness:

  • The development of this topic was the subject of intense debate between scientists of many countries in the 19th century

Utilization:

  • This work leads directly to the concept of the heat engines that play such a large role in modern society
  • The possibility of the heat death of the universe is based on ever-increasing entropy
  • Chemistry of entropy (see Chemistry sub-topic 15.2)

Aims:

  • Aim 5: development of the second law demonstrates the collaboration involved in scientific pursuits
  • Aim 10: the relationships and similarities between scientific disciplines are particularly apparent here

Directly related questions

Sub sections and their related questions

None