AP Physics Units

Unit Thermal Physics (4 weeks)

A. Temperature and Thermal Effects

1. Mechanical equivalent of heat

2. Heat transfer and thermal expansion

a. linear expansion of solids

b. volume expansion of solids and liquids

3. Calorimetry

B. Kinetic Theory, Ideal Gases & Gas Laws

C. Thermodynamics

1. Processes and PV diagrams

a. isothermal

b. isobaric

c. isometric

d. adiabatic

e. cyclic

2. First Law of Thermodynamics

a. Internal energy

b. Energy conservation

c. Molar heat capacity of a gas

3. Second Law of Thermodynamics

a. Directions of processes

b. Entropy

4. Heat Engines and Refrigerators

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