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Thermal Physics

Quick questions on Temperature and thermometers: N(A)-Level Physics thermal

3short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.

What is thermal equilibrium?
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When two objects are in contact, thermal energy flows from the hotter to the cooler until they reach the same temperature. At that point there is no longer any net flow, and we say they are in thermal equilibrium. A drink left in a room eventually reaches room temperature for this reason.
What is making a thermometer more sensitive?
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A thermometer is more sensitive if the liquid moves further for each degree. You can achieve this with a thinner tube or a larger bulb, so a small change in temperature gives a clear, easy-to-read movement.
What are wrong fixed points?
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The fixed points are pure ice melting (0 C0\ ^\circ\text{C}) and pure water boiling (100 C100\ ^\circ\text{C}), not random hot and cold values.

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