Learning Hub/Simulation Registry/Physics/HL/Chapter 7

Physics HL

Chapter 7: Thermal Energy Transfers

Build thermal physics from particle models to calorimetry and phase change, then apply conduction, convection, and radiation laws including Stefan-Boltzmann and Wien scaling.

4 simulation entries

Simulation: Particle View of Temperature and Phase

Switch solid-liquid-gas states and change Kelvin temperature to compare spacing, random motion, and energy partition trends.

Appears in: 7.1 Particles, Temperature, and Internal Energy

Thermal Particle Lab

Phase stateTemperature: 300.0 K (26.9 deg C)

Microstate viewer (60 particles)

Energy partition (relative)

Average kinetic (per mol)3741.30 J/mol

Intermolecular potential depth-4.28 a.u.

Internal-energy index14.92 a.u.

Speed distribution sketch

Mean molecule kinetic

6.213e-21 J

RMS speed index

11.43

Compressibility index

0.20

Phase

LIQUID

Use this model to connect the microscopic picture (particle spacing and random motion) with macroscopic language (temperature, compressibility, and internal energy trends).

Simulation: Two-Body Calorimetry Mixer

Set masses, specific heat capacities, and initial temperatures to see equilibrium temperature and energy flow consistency.

Appears in: 7.2 Specific Heat Capacity and Calorimetry, 7.3 Phase Change and Specific Latent Heat

Calorimetry + Phase Lab

Hot mass (kg): 0.45Cold mass (kg): 0.65Hot temp (deg C): 80.0Cold temp (deg C): 18.0Hot c (J kg^-1 K^-1): 900Cold c (J kg^-1 K^-1): 4186

Two-body mixing scene

Final equilibrium temp

26.03 deg C

Hot-side temperature drop

53.97 K

Cold-side temperature rise

8.03 K

Energy mismatch

0.0000 J

Use Mixing mode for conservation in calorimetry, then switch to Heating curve mode to see where energy raises temperature and where it is redirected into latent phase change.

Simulation: Convection Cell (Rising Hot, Sinking Cool)

Watch buoyancy-driven circulation in a fluid cell and tune heater/cooling strength to see how convection loops carry thermal energy.

Appears in: 7.4 Conduction and Convection

Convection Cell Lab

Heater power (%): 72Top cooling (%): 56Fluid drag: 0.44

Heated fluid cell (rising hot fluid, sinking cool fluid)

Mean thermal index

0.54

Particles rising

Particles sinking

Rising hot fluid and sinking cool fluid create circulation cells. Increase heater power to strengthen buoyancy-driven updrafts.

Simulation: Two-Layer Wall Conduction (Fourier Law)

Tune conductivity, thickness, area, and boundary temperatures to read heat flow and the piecewise temperature profile across each wall layer.

Appears in: 7.4 Conduction and Convection, 7.5 Thermal Radiation, Stefan-Boltzmann, and Wien's Law

Heat Transfer + Radiation Lab

Area A (m^2): 2.00Beginning temp (deg C): 22.0End temp (deg C): -5.0Layer 1 thickness (cm): 6.0Layer 2 thickness (cm): 10.0Layer 1 conductivity k1 (W m^-1 K^-1): 0.92Layer 2 conductivity k2 (W m^-1 K^-1): 0.04

Composite wall and Fourier temperature profile

Total thermal resistance

1.4215 K/W

Interface temperature

21.38 deg C

Total heat rate q

18.99 W

Heat flux magnitude

9.50 W/m^2

Move between conduction and radiation views to compare Fourier temperature-gradient transport with fourth-power thermal radiation behavior.