Density and thermal properties

• Apply simple kinetic theory models to distinguish the states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases) based on the microscopic movement and physical arrangement of particles.
• Calculate density utilizing mass and volume.

$\rho = \frac{m}{V}$

• Conduct practical investigations to precisely determine the densities of various solids and liquids.
• Explain the macroscopic differences in density across states of matter by referencing the underlying atomic or molecular arrangements.
• Understand that mass is strictly conserved during physical state changes (melting, freezing, evaporation, boiling, condensation, sublimation), and differentiate these reversible physical changes from permanent chemical changes.
• Explain how heating a closed system intrinsically alters its stored internal energy, subsequently resulting in either a temperature rise or a change of physical state.
• Define specific heat capacity and specific latent heat, and critically analyze the fundamental differences between these two thermodynamic properties.
• Calculate thermal energy changes associated with temperature variations using specific heat capacity.

$\Delta Q = m \times c \times \Delta \theta$

• Calculate the thermal energy required for a complete change of state using specific latent heat.

$Q = m \times L$

• Explain practical engineering methods for mitigating unwanted energy transfers through the application of thermal insulation.
• Conduct core practical experiments to investigate the thermodynamic properties of water, determining its specific heat capacity and charting a temperature-time graph for melting ice.