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16 Thermodynamics
An understanding of energy from Cambridge IGCSE/O Level Physics or equivalent is assumed.
16.1 Internal energy
Candidates should be able to:
1 understand that internal energy is determined by the state of the system and that it can be expressed
as the sum of a random distribution of kinetic and potential energies associated with the molecules of a
system
2 relate a rise in temperature of an object to an increase in its internal energy
16.2 The first law of thermodynamics
Candidates should be able to:
1 recall and use W = p∆V for the work done when the volume of a gas changes at constant pressure and
understand the difference between the work done by the gas and the work done on the gas
2 recall and use the first law of thermodynamics ∆U = q + W expressed in terms of the increase in
internal energy, the heating of the system (energy transferred to the
