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Thermometer

Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter

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Rocket

Theme A - Space, Time & Motion

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Water Wave

Theme C - Wave Behaviour 

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Magnifying Glass Tilted Right

Theme D - Fields

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Microscope

Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics

<ul>
	<li>Imagine your favorite dance party! Sometimes you want to be close to your friends (like in a slow dance), and sometimes you want to break free and jump around (like in a crazy EDM tune).</li>
	<li>In the world of tiny particles, a similar party happens! Depending on their mood (or phase - solid, liquid, gas), particles have varying freedom to move and dance.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Potential Energy (PE)
	<ul>
		<li>It&#39;s like the potential to dance!</li>
		<li>The closer the particles (or dancers), the more &quot;tension&quot; or energy they have stored.</li>
		<li>For solids and liquids, this energy is negative (imagine it&#39;s like having an underground dance floor!).</li>
		<li>The deeper into this dance floor (or potential well), the more negative the energy.</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
	<li>Kinetic Energy (KE)
	<ul>
		<li>The wild, fast dance moves!</li>
		<li>It&#39;s about how fast the particles are jiving and grooving.</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
	<li>Total Internal Energy = PE + KE
	<ul>
		<li>Combining both dance energies gives the overall mood of the party!</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Gas: Dancers are far apart, so less tension and more wild moves. Here, the party is almost all kinetic energy!</li>
	<li>Solid: A balanced party! Equal potential and kinetic energy. Everyone is close but still grooving.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Solid to Liquid (Melting)
	<ul>
		<li>Imagine a slow dance suddenly changing to a pop song.</li>
		<li>Particles start moving faster (increased KE) and farther apart (increased PE).</li>
		<li>As they move apart, it&#39;s like they&#39;re breaking free from a tight group dance formation (broken inter-particle bonds).</li>
		<li>The temperature? It&rsquo;s the DJ playing the same song on repeat (temperature remains constant) until everyone has found their rhythm (or melted).</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
	<li>Liquid to Gas (Vaporization)
	<ul>
		<li>EDM time! Particles get so hyped that they break apart completely.</li>
		<li>They move even further, becoming free spirits (or gases).</li>
		<li>For a moment, the DJ freezes the song (temperature is constant) as everyone gets into the gas phase.</li>
		<li>Once everyone&#39;s a gas, the beats drop, and the party (temperature) heats up again!</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
	<li>💡 Real-World Example: Think about ice melting on a hot day
	<ul>
		<li>Ice (solid) starts by absorbing the sun&rsquo;s energy.</li>
		<li>It melts (turns to water, a liquid) but the temperature remains the same (0&deg;C, its melting point) until all ice has melted.</li>
		<li>Now, the water starts heating up, and if it gets hot enough, it&rsquo;ll evaporate and become steam (a gas).</li>
		<li>Keep these party vibes in mind, and understanding internal energy will always be a fun dance! 🕺💃</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
</ul>

Internal Energy: Exploring Phases & Particle Movement

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Higher Level

Physics HL

Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter

Internal Energy: Exploring Phases & Particle Movement

Table of content

Internal energy - the fun basics 🚀

What is internal energy? 🎈

Unlock the Full Content!

Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter

Internal Energy: Exploring Phases & Particle Movement

Table of content

Internal energy - the fun basics 🚀

What is internal energy? 🎈

Unlock the Full Content!