Last Minute Lecture

Temperature, Heat & Thermal Properties Explained | Chapter 17 of University Physics Chapter 17 introduces the fundamental concepts of temperature and heat, showing how materials respond to thermal energy. We’ll cover how thermal equilibrium defines temperature, the scales we use to measure it, how materials expand when heated, the relationship between heat and temperature changes, phase transitions, and the three modes of heat transfer. Watch the full video summary here for detailed examples and demonstrations. Thermal Equilibrium & Temperature Scales When two systems in contact share no net heat flow, they reach thermal equilibrium ; this principle underlies the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics. Temperature scales quantify this property: Celsius: 0 °C at water’s freeze, 100 °C at boil Kelvin: K = °C + 273.15, with the triple point of water at 273.16 K Fahrenheit: 32 °F freeze, 212 °F boil Thermometers exploit physical changes—liquid expansion or resistance...

Thermal Properties of Materials — Chapter 19 Summary from Callister’s Materials Science and Engineering Chapter 19 of Materials Science and Engineering by William D. Callister, Jr. and David G. Rethwisch explores the fundamental ways materials respond to heat, focusing on critical topics such as heat capacity, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, and the development of thermal stresses. These properties are crucial for engineering safe, durable, and efficient products across industries. Watch the full podcast-style summary below, and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for clear, chapter-by-chapter study guides to foundational engineering textbooks! Fundamental Thermal Properties Heat Capacity (C): The quantity of heat required to change a material’s temperature, often measured as specific heat (c) per unit mass. In solids, heat is absorbed mainly through atomic vibrations (phonons), with additional minor contributions from electronic and magnetic effects under cer...