Physics HL
Physics HL
5
Chapters
329
Notes
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme D - Fields
Theme D - Fields
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
IB Resources
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Physics HL
Physics HL

Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter

Unlocking The Secrets Of Heat Engines: A Deep Dive

Word Count Emoji
636 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Key concepts 🌟

  • Heat Engine: A device that performs useful work by converting energy to work continuously.
  • Carnot Cycle: A cyclic heat engine described by Nicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot in 1824.

How heat engines work 🚗

  • Energy Conversion: Transfers energy Qh at high temperature Th and rejects energy Qc at lower temperature Tc.
  • Work Done: Uses the energy difference (Qh − Qc) for work.
  • Continuous Cycle: For ongoing work, the engine must return to its starting point in a cycle.

Thermal efficiency 🌡️

📝 Formula: \(n = \frac {useful work output}{input energy} =\frac {Qh - Qc}{Qh} \)

Real World Example: Think of a sponge. If you squeeze a soaked sponge, the water coming out is Qh. The water left is Qc. The difference is the work you did!

The carnot cycle 🌀

  • Step A→B:

    • Isothermal Expansion: Gas absorbs energy Qh at Th.
    • Temperature Remains Same: So, internal energy doesn't change.
    • Work Done: All absorbed energy does work through gas expansion.

    Real World Example: Imagine inflating a balloon. The air inside expands and pushes the balloon's walls outward!

  • Step B→C:

    • Adiabatic Expansion: No energy is absorbed or rejected by gas.
    • Internal Energy: Decreases and temperature drops to Tc.
    • Work Done: Gas's internal energy converts to work.
  • Step C→D:

    • Isothermal Compression: Gas releases energy Qc. No change in internal energy but gas is compressed.
  • Step D→A:

    • Adiabatic Compression: Work done on gas increases its internal energy, returning it to state A.

Reversibility ✨

Reversible Process: The system can return to its prior state with a minuscule change to its properties or surroundings.

  • System always stays in a thermodynamic equilibrium.
  • For true reversibility, changes must occur infinitely slowly.

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IB Resources
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Physics HL
Physics HL

Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter

Unlocking The Secrets Of Heat Engines: A Deep Dive

Word Count Emoji
636 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Key concepts 🌟

  • Heat Engine: A device that performs useful work by converting energy to work continuously.
  • Carnot Cycle: A cyclic heat engine described by Nicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot in 1824.

How heat engines work 🚗

  • Energy Conversion: Transfers energy Qh at high temperature Th and rejects energy Qc at lower temperature Tc.
  • Work Done: Uses the energy difference (Qh − Qc) for work.
  • Continuous Cycle: For ongoing work, the engine must return to its starting point in a cycle.

Thermal efficiency 🌡️

📝 Formula: \(n = \frac {useful work output}{input energy} =\frac {Qh - Qc}{Qh} \)

Real World Example: Think of a sponge. If you squeeze a soaked sponge, the water coming out is Qh. The water left is Qc. The difference is the work you did!

The carnot cycle 🌀

  • Step A→B:

    • Isothermal Expansion: Gas absorbs energy Qh at Th.
    • Temperature Remains Same: So, internal energy doesn't change.
    • Work Done: All absorbed energy does work through gas expansion.

    Real World Example: Imagine inflating a balloon. The air inside expands and pushes the balloon's walls outward!

  • Step B→C:

    • Adiabatic Expansion: No energy is absorbed or rejected by gas.
    • Internal Energy: Decreases and temperature drops to Tc.
    • Work Done: Gas's internal energy converts to work.
  • Step C→D:

    • Isothermal Compression: Gas releases energy Qc. No change in internal energy but gas is compressed.
  • Step D→A:

    • Adiabatic Compression: Work done on gas increases its internal energy, returning it to state A.

Reversibility ✨

Reversible Process: The system can return to its prior state with a minuscule change to its properties or surroundings.

  • System always stays in a thermodynamic equilibrium.
  • For true reversibility, changes must occur infinitely slowly.

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Physics HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟

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