[Physics Class Notes] on Thermal Properties of Matter Pdf for Exam

Chapters learned in Class 11 form the foundation for advanced concepts in chapters of Class 12. Hence, it is imperative for the students to have a clear understanding of basic concepts and theories and understand the formulas and derivations. In the chapter thermal properties of matter class 11, students get to learn in detail all the facts and functions related to the chapter. Our learned subject matter experts have tried to include every detail and explain in an easy way the properties of matter, physics, class 11. So, in this article, you will be able to learn the concepts of thermal expansion and superficial expansion, emissive power, absorptive power, and a lot more.

Class 11 Physics Chapter – Thermal Properties of Matter

Introduction

Matter in our universe is anything that occupies space and has mass. Practically, we are surrounded by matter. Right from a chair, we sit on the bottle of water or the bag carrying books. Everything matters. And matter has some properties by virtue of which every matter is different from the other and each of them can be identified. These properties include-

Mechanical Properties- Which tells the physical attributes of the matter like strength, elasticity, plasticity, ductility, and so on.

Chemical Properties- Which tells the chemical composition, acidity or alkalinity, Corrosive properties and so on.

Physical Properties- It tells us the conductivity, combustibility, density, etc.

Dimensional Properties- It gives information about the size and shape of the matter.

Thermal Properties- This property of matter tells how the matter will react when subjected to heat or heat fluctuations.

What are Thermal Properties of Matter?

As we now know, the thermal properties of matter are the ones due to which a matter exhibits heat conductivity or it is the property that decides the nature of the matter in the presence of heat. Thus, thermal properties are exhibited by objects when heat passes through them.

By the virtue of thermal properties, different materials or objects act differently under the influence of heat. Or, these properties decide how the matter will react when they are subjected to heat fluctuations.

There are 4 major components of thermal properties. They are-

• Heat capacity

• Thermal Expansion

• Thermal conductivity

• Thermal stress

Let’s study these components in detail.

Heat Capacity

Heat capacity can be defined as the amount of heat required by the body to change its temperature by 1 degree. This amount of heat is expressed in Joules or calories and the temperature fluctuations or simply the temperature is given in Celsius or Fahrenheit.

How to Calculate the Heat Capacity

For the calculation of the heat capacity of an object with a particular dimension, the specific heat capacity of the object is used.

Thus, the formula is given by-

Q = m c ΔT

where, 

• Q is the heat capacity in J

• m is the mass in g

• c is the specific heat in J/kg.K

• ΔT is the temperature change in °K

Thermal Expansion

The shape of an object changes from its original when heat passes through it. In other words, an object expands on heating. This property of matter or object of expansion upon heating is termed thermal expansion. On thermal expansion, the shape, volume, and surface area of the objects change.

Thermal expansion is measurably large in the case of gases, while it is small in the case of liquids and solids.

Linear Expansion

When the change due to thermal expansion is unidimensional or takes place in one dimension, it is called linear expansion. It is given by the formula-

ΔL = αLΔT

Where,

• ΔL is the change in length L

• ΔT is the change in temperature

• α is the coefficient of linear expansion that varies slightly with temperature.

Modes Of Heat Transfer

Heat can be transferred from one system to another or from one part of a system to another in three distinct modes.

1. Conduction – Here the transfer of heat happens from one part of a body to its adjacent part because of the difference in their overall temperature. 

For example, when we heat one end of a rod in flames, the other end of the rod also ends up turning hot soon.

2. Convection – Here the transfer of heat happens because of motion in the matter and can be possible only in the case of fluids.

For example, when the human heart pumps and circulates blood in the human body, the heat generated by the cells in the body is transferred to the blood flowing through the blood vessels

3. Radiation – Here the transfer of heat happens through electromagnetic waves.

For example, the earth gets heated up by the direct rays of the sun falling on it. 

Thermal Conductivity

Not all material objects can conduct heat through their bodies. Those who can are called conductors. So, such material objects let heat pass through them by the property of thermal conductivity. Among the conductors, there are ones with high conductivity, that is they conduct more heat than the ones with low heat conductivity.

The materials which do not conduct heat at all are called insulators.

Thermal Stress

Thermal expansion or contraction causes the body to experience some kind of stress. This is termed thermal stress. Thermal stress sometimes has the potential to destroy the object, so it may turn out to be destructive in nature. 

For example- you might have noticed big truck tyres get cracks on them. This is because driving at high speeds on roads causes friction between the road’s surface and the tyres that produce heat. The resultant thermal stress causes cracks on the tyres.

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