H2 Physics 9478 · Topic 11
Thermal physics: gases, systems and energy transfer
Connect thermodynamic temperature and molecular motion to ideal-gas behaviour, internal energy, equilibrium, work, the thermodynamic laws and thermal-property energy balances.
Before you begin
Study each reviewed objective cluster, then use the recorded diagnostic and repair plan. H2 practice evidence remains separate from H1 and H3.
Be comfortable with: Energy & Fields objective chainQuantities & Measurement objective chain
Learn in order
Lesson route
Objective clusters
- 01Thermodynamic temperature and Celsius conversion 12(a)–(b)Learn and apply 2 reviewed syllabus outcomes in one coherent cluster.
- 02Ideal-gas equations, particles and moles 12(c)–(d)Learn and apply 2 reviewed syllabus outcomes in one coherent cluster.
- 03Kinetic model, pressure derivation and molecular energy 12(e)–(g)Learn and apply 3 reviewed syllabus outcomes in one coherent cluster.
- 04Internal energy, temperature and thermal equilibrium 13(a)–(c)Learn and apply 3 reviewed syllabus outcomes in one coherent cluster.
- 05Work, zeroth law and first law 13(d)–(f)Learn and apply 3 reviewed syllabus outcomes in one coherent cluster.
- 06Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat 13(g)Learn and apply 1 reviewed syllabus outcomes in one coherent cluster.
Prove your understanding
Practice and repair
Key ideas and reference
Use this concise Thermal physics: gases, systems and energy transfer checklist to locate the right objective cluster. Full definitions, derivations and worked examples stay in the linked lessons.
- Connect thermodynamic temperature and molecular motion to ideal-gas behaviour, internal energy, equilibrium, work, the thermodynamic laws and thermal-property energy balances.
- Thermodynamic temperature and Celsius conversion 12(a)–(b)
- Ideal-gas equations, particles and moles 12(c)–(d)
- Kinetic model, pressure derivation and molecular energy 12(e)–(g)
- Internal energy, temperature and thermal equilibrium 13(a)–(c)
- Work, zeroth law and first law 13(d)–(f)
Course coverage and review details
Topics 12 and 13 state no explicit exclusions. They remain separate official topic identities in one shared Thermal Physics route. The first-law convention is ΔU = Q + W, where W is work done on the system; for expansion against constant external pressure, work done by the gas is pΔV and work done on the gas is −pΔV.
Coverage is reviewed against 9478 topic 12(a)–(g), PDF page 21; topic 13(a)–(g), PDF page 22. Selected-response progress does not by itself prove constructed, diagrammatic or practical performance.
Reviewed 2026-08-01