AP Physics 2 - Thermodynamics Review

Front

What is thermodynamics?

Back

The study of the transfer of energy.

Front

What does a PV graph represent in thermodynamics?

Back

A graphical representation of the relationship between pressure (P) and volume (V) of a gas.

Front

What is the work done in a complete cycle on a PV graph?

Back

The area enclosed by the cycle on the PV graph.

Front

What is convection in thermal transfer?

Back

The transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases).

Front

What is radiation in thermal transfer?

Back

The transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight.

Front

What is conduction in thermal transfer?

Back

The transfer of heat through direct contact between materials.

Front

What happens to internal energy (ΔU) during an isothermal process?

Back

ΔU = 0, because the temperature remains constant.

Front

What is the first law of thermodynamics?

Back

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Front

What is an ideal gas?

Back

A hypothetical gas that perfectly follows the ideal gas law (PV=nRT) under all conditions.

Front

What is the significance of the heat capacity of a substance?

Back

It measures the amount of heat required to change the temperature of a substance by a certain amount.