Chapter 9
Thermal properties of matter
Energy can change a substance's temperature or its state.
Choose the appropriate energy calculation and explain the result using particles.
Includes heat capacity, evaporation, latent heat, cooling curves and thermal measurements. For K323 (2027) / 6091 (2026).
Choose a topic
Internal energy
Distinguish temperature from the total kinetic and potential contributions to internal energy.
Heat capacity and specific heat capacity
Calculate energy for a temperature change and interpret a heating measurement.
Changes of state
Explain melting, solidification, boiling and condensation while temperature remains constant.
Boiling and evaporation
Distinguish surface evaporation from boiling and explain evaporative cooling.
Latent heat
Calculate energy for a change of state, separate thermal stages and interpret melting measurements.
Cooling curves
Sketch and interpret temperature-time graphs and evaluate a temperature probe record.