IB Physics SL B.1.6 Internal energy
Compare internal energy in solids and liquids at one temperature, using phase-change reasoning about kinetic and potential energy.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- —
- Level
- SL
Exam points
- state that at equal temperature kinetic energy is unchanged; phase changes alter potential energy
- decide that melting raises internal energy and intermolecular potential energy, while freezing lowers both
B.1.6—Internal energy question 1
[Maximum number: 2]
This section consists of three questions: B1, B2 and B3.
Distinguish between internal energy and thermal energy (heat).
Internal energy:
Thermal energy:
internal energy:
the sum of the potential and the (random) kinetic energy of the molecules/particles of a substance;
thermal energy:
the (non-mechanical) transfer of energy between two different bodies as a result of a temperature difference between them;
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