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Physics HL

Chapter 10: Thermodynamics

Apply conservation of energy to thermal systems, then extend to entropy, the second law, and heat-engine limits including Carnot efficiency.

Estimated chapter time: 182 minutes

Chapter Topics

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  1. 1How to Read This Thermodynamics Chapter
    1. 1.1Thermodynamics as Structured Energy Accounting
    2. 1.2Sign Convention Before Computation
    3. 1.3How This Chapter Is Structured
  2. 210.1 Internal Energy and State Functions
    1. 2.1Internal Energy in Particle Language
    2. 2.2Monatomic Ideal-Gas Internal Energy Forms
    3. 2.3State Functions Versus Path Functions
    4. 2.4System Types and Boundary Conditions
  3. 310.2 First Law and Work on P-V Diagrams
    1. 3.1Boundary Work from a Moving Piston
    2. 3.2First-Law Bookkeeping with Explicit Signs
    3. 3.3Path Dependence of Work and Heat
    4. 3.4Fast Physical Checks for Answers
  4. 410.2 Continued: Standard Processes and Process Equations
    1. 4.1The Four Process Labels and Their Constraints
    2. 4.2Equation Set You Should Use Deliberately
    3. 4.3Why Adiabatic Curves Are Steeper Than Isothermal Curves
    4. 4.4Process-Comparison Problem Routine
  5. 510.3 Entropy and the Second Law
    1. 5.1Entropy Change from Reversible Heat Transfer
    2. 5.2Second Law in Universe-Entropy Form
    3. 5.3Statistical Interpretation: Microstates and Likelihood
    4. 5.4Entropy in Exam Problem Solving
  6. 610.4 Heat Engines and the Carnot Limit
    1. 6.1Heat Engine Energy Flow Structure
    2. 6.2Efficiency Definitions and Limits
    3. 6.3Carnot Cycle and Maximum Reversible Efficiency
    4. 6.4Engine and Refrigerator Duality
  7. 7Chapter 10 Wrap-Up

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