← All ArticlesThermodynamics

Thermodynamics

Energy, heat, work, internal energy, the laws of thermodynamics, and the kinetic theory of gases — from the microscopic motion of molecules to macroscopic engine efficiency.

12 articles

Carnot cycle pressure-volume diagram showing isothermal and adiabatic stages with efficiency formula

Thermodynamics

Jul 26, 202613 min read

How Efficient Can a Heat Engine Be? The Carnot Cycle Explained

Read article →

Thermal expansion — metal rod expanding in length when heated, with ΔL = αL₀ΔT formula labeled

Thermodynamics

Jun 26, 202613 min read

Thermal Expansion Explained — ΔL = αL₀ΔT and Worked Examples

Read article →

Thermal Energy & Internal Energy: Heat, Temperature & Q = mcDelta-T

Thermodynamics

Jun 25, 202612 min read

Thermal Energy and Internal Energy — Q = mcΔT Explained

Read article →

Gas laws — three diagrams showing Boyle, Charles and Gay-Lussac relationships

Thermodynamics

Jun 14, 202613 min read

Boyle's, Charles's and Gay-Lussac's Gas Laws — Formulas and Examples

Read article →

Ideal gas law — piston compressing gas in a cylinder illustrating the relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature

Thermodynamics

Apr 24, 202614 min read

PV = nRT: The Ideal Gas Law Explained Variable by Variable

Read article →

Specific heat capacity — beakers being heated illustrating different energy requirements for different materials

Thermodynamics

Apr 23, 202613 min read

What Is Specific Heat Capacity? Formula and Worked Examples

Read article →

Entropy — ink drop spreading in water illustrating the spontaneous increase in disorder and entropy

Thermodynamics

Apr 20, 202614 min read

What Is Entropy? Definition, Formula and the Second Law

Read article →

Thermodynamics

Apr 10, 202616 min read

Entropy, Heat Engines and Carnot Efficiency — The Second Law of Thermodynamics

Read article →

Heat transfer — three panels showing conduction through a rod, convection currents in a fluid, and radiation from a hot surface

Thermodynamics

Mar 26, 202614 min read

Conduction, Convection and Radiation — The Three Types of Heat Transfer

Read article →

Kinetic theory of gases — molecules in motion representing gas pressure and temperature

Thermodynamics

Mar 11, 202613 min read

What Is the Kinetic Theory of Gases? Pressure and Molecular Motion

Read article →

Thermodynamics

Feb 19, 202611 min read

First Law of Thermodynamics: ΔU = Q − W Explained with Worked Examples

Read article →

What is energy — lightning bolt representing electrical energy and energy transformation

Thermodynamics

Jan 29, 202612 min read

What Is Energy in Physics? Definition, Types, Conservation & Units

Read article →

Browse other topics

Classical Mechanics

Newton's laws, kinematics, projectile motion, momentum, gravitation, and the mat…

Waves & Optics

Transverse and longitudinal waves, wave speed, frequency, wavelength, interferen…

Electromagnetism

Electric fields, magnetic fields, circuits, Maxwell's equations, and the unified…

Modern Physics

Special relativity, quantum mechanics, wave-particle duality, the uncertainty pr…

Kinematics

Displacement, velocity, acceleration, equations of motion, and the mathematical …

Never miss a Thermodynamics article

Get new physics articles, study tips, and platform updates delivered to your inbox every Thursday.