Website
University of Sydney (Australia)

Thermal Physics Module: Heat Engines [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
The second law of thermodynamics and the concept of entropy is applied to the topic of heat engines. The Carnot and Stirling engine are discussed. Efficiency is explained and an equation is derived.
Unit Plan
Texas Education Agency

Texas Gateway: Thermodynamics: Summary

For Students 11th - 12th
This is a summary of each of the sections in Chapter 15: Thermodynamics from the AP Physics online text.
Handout
Other

Web Dictionary of Cybernetics:thermodynamics

For Students 9th - 10th
A definition of thermodynamics and its laws from the Web Dictionary of Cybernetics and Systems. Part of an online dictionary of scientific terms. Includes hypertext links to other definitions are provided.
Website
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: About Temperature

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the University Corporation of Atmospheric Research provides a lengthy page covering numerous topics including the difference between heat and temperature, the use of different temperature scales, thermal expansion, how a...
Website
University of Waterloo (Canada)

University of Waterloo: Rudolf Julius Emanuel Clausius

For Students 9th - 10th
Lists the most important publications of Rudolf Clausius. Provides some biographical details. Part of a set of History of Thermodynamics course notes.
Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: William Thomson

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about William Thompson's important work in the mathematical analysis of electricity and formulation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics, and did much to unify the emerging discipline of physics in its modern form.
Handout
Other

Applied Thermodynamics: Entropy

For Students 9th - 10th
Entropy is defined and discussed at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. The equation for this mathematical quantity is given and explained. Some unit information concerning entropy is provided.
Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Bond Enthalpy and Enthalpy of Reaction

For Students 9th - 10th
Explanation of bond enthalpy that includes examples of calculating enthalpies of reaction using bond enthalpy.
Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Gibbs Free Energy and Spontaneity

For Students 9th - 10th
Explanation of Gibbs Free Energy and Spontaneity. Includes formulas and examples.
Interactive
Walter Fendt

Walter Fendt: Apps Zur Physik

For Students 9th - 10th
This site, in German, offers numerous apps that illustrate common physics principles. Apps are organized into categories: mechanics, oscillations and waves, electrodynamics, optics, thermodynamics, the theory of relativity, physics of...
eBook
NASA

Nasa: From Stargazers to Starships: Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
Demonstrates how principles of kinetic energy, potential energy and energy conservation can be used to determine the speed of a descending object if given its initial height. Further discussion of other topics such as heat and...
Handout
University of Sydney (Australia)

University of Sydney: Structure and Properties of Materials/thermal Physics

For Students 9th - 10th
An exhaustive set of "lecture notes" on various topics in thermal physics (including thermal expansion). Explanations are well done and more interesting than most. Includes both a mathematical and conceptual treatment of topics. Humor,...
Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Engine Cycle

For Students 9th - 10th
The heat engine cycle is defined and discussed. So pressure-volume diagrams are introduced and their use in depicting the cycles of a heat engine is demonstrated. Informative graphics are accompanied by reason-filled explanations.
Graphic
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Engine Concepts

For Students 9th - 10th
An indexing page for the HyperPhysics site. The page contains a concept map of links to a variety of other pages which discuss concepts related to heat engines. All pages contain informative graphics and excellent explanations.
Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Engine Concepts: The Otto Cycle

For Students 9th - 10th
Schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of a four-stroke engine cycle. Interactive buttons allow you to step through the various steps of each engine cycle. Each graphic is accompanied by an excellent explanation.
Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Engine Concepts: Carnot Cycle

For Students 9th - 10th
The Carnot cycle is described, illustrated and explained. The Carnot efficiency equation is given and interactive JavaScript form allows the visitor to investigate the effect of the reservoir temperature and the sink temperature upon the...
Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Entropy

For Students 9th - 10th
This informative site is from Georgia State University. The tendency of nature to move towards a more disordered state in an isolated system, a concept known as entropy, is discussed. This concept is well-depicted in meaningful diagrams.
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.
eBook
Chiral Publishing

Chiral Publishing: An Introduction to Chemistry: Effect of Temperature on Solubility

For Students 9th - 10th
This online textbook section explains how the solubility of gases in a liquid decrease as the temperature increases. Use a chart and example to help understand how the Second Law of Thermodynamics has an effect on this. Also find links...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: How Does Nature Know Which Way Is Forward?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Through critical thinking, students realize that spontaneous events happen in a certain order. This lesson presents an examination of the Second Law of Thermodynamics using a thought story, rubber band inquiry, discrepant event and lecture.
Handout
University of Sydney (Australia)

Equations for Thermodynamics

For Students 9th - 10th
An exhaustive list of equations and formulas which are commonly used in thermal physics (including equations for triple point). Equations are organized according to category. Meaning of the symbols is clearly stated.
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.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Rudolf Clausius

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Encyclopedia Wikipedia provides brief biographical information on German physicist and mathematician Rudolf Clausius including an image, hyperlinked terms, and external links.
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Why Don't Perpetual Motion Machines Ever Work?

For Students 9th - 10th
Netta Schramm describes the pitfalls of perpetual motion machines.