Podcast
Questions and Answers
What key principle did William Thomson articulate regarding physical changes?
What key principle did William Thomson articulate regarding physical changes?
- Physical changes only occur in open systems.
- Any physical change is fundamentally a change in mass.
- Physical changes primarily affect the state of matter, not its energy.
- Any physical change is fundamentally a change in energy. (correct)
The Kelvin scale is offset from the Celsius scale by approximately 273 degrees, but shares what characteristic with it?
The Kelvin scale is offset from the Celsius scale by approximately 273 degrees, but shares what characteristic with it?
- It is also based on the freezing and boiling points of water.
- It uses water's triple point as a reference.
- It is primarily used in meteorological applications.
- It uses the same unit size for degrees. (correct)
William Thomson's work on the second law of thermodynamics leads to what conclusion about closed systems?
William Thomson's work on the second law of thermodynamics leads to what conclusion about closed systems?
- Closed systems can spontaneously generate energy.
- Everything in any closed system will eventually reach the same temperature. (correct)
- Closed systems require external energy to maintain equilibrium.
- Closed systems increase in complexity over time.
Beyond his theoretical contributions to physics and thermodynamics, what large-scale engineering project did Thomson oversee?
Beyond his theoretical contributions to physics and thermodynamics, what large-scale engineering project did Thomson oversee?
Lord Kelvin's temperature scale defines absolute zero as -459°F/-273°C. This is significant because:
Lord Kelvin's temperature scale defines absolute zero as -459°F/-273°C. This is significant because:
Flashcards
Who was William Thomson?
Who was William Thomson?
Physicist born in Belfast and became Lord Kelvin.
Thomson's statement on physical change
Thomson's statement on physical change
Physical change is fundamentally a change in energy.
What is the second law of thermodynamics?
What is the second law of thermodynamics?
In a closed system, everything will eventually reach the same temperature.
What is the Kelvin scale?
What is the Kelvin scale?
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What else did Thomson oversee?
What else did Thomson oversee?
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Study Notes
William Thomson: 1824-1907
- William Thomson, later known as Lord Kelvin, was a physicist born in Belfast and raised in Glasgow.
- His work integrated diverse areas of physics.
- Any physical change is fundamentally a change in energy.
- He elaborated on the second law of thermodynamics, stating that in a closed system, everything will eventually reach the same temperature.
- Thomson proposed the Kelvin scale, named after him, which starts at absolute zero (-459°F/-273°C)
- The Kelvin scale uses the same units as the Celsius scale.
- He also oversaw the laying of the trans-Atlantic telecommunications cable.
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