Unit Plan
Texas Education Agency

Texas Gateway: Applications of Thermodynamics: Heat Pumps and Refrigerators

For Students 11th - 12th
By the end of this section, you will be able to describe the use of heat engines in heat pumps and refrigerators, demonstrate how a heat pump works to warm an interior space, explain the differences between heat pumps and refrigerators,...
Handout
State Energy Conservation Office-Texas

State Energy Conservation Office: Grounded Coupled Heat Pumps [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains how a heat pump system works, and how a ground-coupled system improves its efficiency and saves money.
Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Pump

For Students 9th - 10th
Heat flow from a hot region to a cold region is described and explained. Applications of this phenomenon (specifically heat pumps and refrigerators) are discussed. Excellent graphics.
Handout
MadSci Network

Msn: How Does an Air Conditioner or Refrigerator Work?

For Students 9th - 10th
From the Mad Scientist Network. Using a question and answer format, this page explains the answer to the question "How does An air conditioner or refrigerator work?" The scientific principles which underly their operation and the process...
Website
University of Sydney (Australia)

Thermal Physics Module: Refrigerators and Heat Pumps [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Refrigerators and heat pumps are described. Their operation is explained and the variables which improve their efficiency is discussed.
Website
Other

Applied Thermodynamics: Heat Engines

For Students 9th - 10th
Forward and reverse heat engines are discussed and explained at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. Diagrams are provided. Efficiency equations are given and discussed.
Website
Other

Applied Thermodynamics: Steam Turbine

For Students 9th - 10th
A steam turbine is defined at Applied Thermodynamics. The individual steps of a steam turbine engine are illustrated and explained.
Handout
Other

Applied Thermodynamics: Diesel Cycle

For Students 9th - 10th
The P-V diagram for a diesel cycle is provided and discussed at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. The steps of the thermodynamic cycle are labeled (and defined elsewhere). An equation for thermal efficiency is given.