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Natural Sciences · Intermediate

Heat & Thermodynamics

What is temperature, really? Watch jiggling molecules explain the gas laws, calculate how much energy it takes to boil water, and discover why heat flows only one way, why no engine can ever be perfect, how heat pumps move heat uphill, and how diesel engines ignite fuel by squeezing air.

8 lessons~45 min0/8 complete
Start courseHelpful background: Energy
1

Heat and Temperature

Jiggling molecules and the energy they carry.

  1. What Is Temperature?Molecules in motion
  2. Heat & Specific HeatQ = mcΔT
2

Gases and Phases

The ideal gas law, melting and boiling.

  1. The Gas LawsPV = nRT
  2. Melting & BoilingLatent heat
3

The Laws of Thermodynamics

Engines, efficiency and entropy.

  1. Heat EnginesThe first law and the Carnot limit
  2. EntropyWhy time has a direction
4

Thermodynamics at Work

Heat pumps and compression.

  1. Heat Pumps & FridgesMoving heat uphill
  2. Squeezing GasesAdiabatic heating and cooling

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