Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface to the third edition
- Preface to the first edition
- Preface to the second edition
- Introduction
- 1 Atoms, molecules and the forces between them
- 2 Temperature, heat and the laws of thermodynamics
- 3 Perfect gases – bulk properties and simple theory
- 4 Further theory of perfect gases
- 5 Imperfect gases
- 6 The solid state
- 7 The elastic properties of solids
- 8 The strength properties of solids
- 9 Thermal and electrical properties of solids
- 10 The liquid state
- 11 Liquids: their flow properties
- 12 The colloidal state of matter
- 13 Some physical properties of polymers
- 14 Dielectric properties of matter
- 15 Magnetic properties of matter
- Appendix: Values of some physical constants
- Index
2 - Temperature, heat and the laws of thermodynamics
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface to the third edition
- Preface to the first edition
- Preface to the second edition
- Introduction
- 1 Atoms, molecules and the forces between them
- 2 Temperature, heat and the laws of thermodynamics
- 3 Perfect gases – bulk properties and simple theory
- 4 Further theory of perfect gases
- 5 Imperfect gases
- 6 The solid state
- 7 The elastic properties of solids
- 8 The strength properties of solids
- 9 Thermal and electrical properties of solids
- 10 The liquid state
- 11 Liquids: their flow properties
- 12 The colloidal state of matter
- 13 Some physical properties of polymers
- 14 Dielectric properties of matter
- 15 Magnetic properties of matter
- Appendix: Values of some physical constants
- Index
Summary
In this chapter we consider briefly some of the basic concepts of heat and temperature. The treatment is simple and restricted to those aspects which will be of use in later parts of the book.
Temperature
The concept of temperature
The concept of temperature originally arose from a sensory feeling of hot or cold. Probably all physical concepts arise in a similar way; the next step is to turn the idea into something more general and, in particular, more objective. One such approach is as follows. It is found that a given mass of gas is completely specified by its volume V and its pressure P. Suppose we start with 1 kg of a gas and subject it to any changes we wish, whether by compressing it, cooling it, allowing it to expand, heating it; we then take another 1 kg specimen of the same gas and carry out a completely different series of operations. If we end up with the same values of V and P for the two samples, the final states will be found identical in every way – colour, warmth, viscosity, and every objective and subjective test to which we can subject the sample.
If we end up with different P, V values there is something different about the samples and if they are placed in contact changes take place until they reach identical P, V values (see section 2.1.3 below).
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- Information
- Gases, Liquids and SolidsAnd Other States of Matter, pp. 32 - 44Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1991