IB Physics B4 Definitions
This page contains our IB Physics definitions for B4. By learning each one of these definitions, you will fully cover the content for IB Physics 'Thermodynamics'.
Adiabatic Process
A process with no heat transfer, where the system's temperature changes due to compression or expansion
Carnot Engine
A theoretical engine with maximum possible efficiency, operating through adiabatic and isothermal processes
Cold Reservoir
A constant source of low temperature that absorbs thermal energy from the heat engine
entropy
The measure of distribution of available energy among particles, measured in JK-1mol-1
heat
It is the total kinetic energy of all particles in an object
Heat Engine
A device that converts thermal energy into work through cyclical processes involving a hot and a cold reservoir
Hot Reservoir
A constant source of high temperature that releases thermal energy to the heat engine
internal energy
It is the total energy of all particles in an object
Isobaric Process
A process occurring at constant pressure, with changes in volume
Isochoric Process
A process occurring at constant volume, with changes in pressure
Isothermal Process
A process occurring at constant temperature, involving heat transfer to maintain the temperature
Microstate
A specific configuration of particles in a system, with entropy related to the number of possible microstates
temperature
It is the average kinetic energy of an object's particles
Thermal energy transfer
It is the movement of thermal energy from a hot object to a cold object
Next Up
You have completed the topic 2 definitions for IB Physics - continue with related resources below or explore the full IB Physics course from the IBO.
Other topic 2 resources