【PEP】High School Physics Elective Compulsory Volume 3

📚 Content Summary

This textbook is the third volume of the elective compulsory series for high school physics, delving deeply into core topics such as molecular kinetic theory, states of matter and their transformations, thermodynamic laws, atomic structure, wave-particle duality, and nuclear physics, aiming to enhance students’ core competencies in physics.

Explore the mysteries of macroscopic thermodynamics and microscopic quantum phenomena; master the fundamental laws governing the physical world.

Author: Qiancheng Peng, Shubu Huang

Acknowledgments: Approved by the Expert Committee of the National Textbook Committee (2019)

🎯 Learning Objectives

1. Understand microscopic composition: Be able to state the basic principles of molecular kinetic theory, master calculations involving Avogadro’s constant, and comprehend the principle behind estimating molecular size using the oil film method.
2. Analyze motion and forces: Be able to distinguish between Brownian motion and thermal motion, and describe how intermolecular forces of attraction and repulsion vary with distance.
3. Master statistical laws: Be able to use a statistical perspective to explain the microscopic origin of gas pressure, and analyze how temperature affects the distribution curve of molecular speeds.
4. Understand and skillfully apply Boyle's law, Charles's law, and Gay-Lussac's law to solve problems involving real gas state changes.
5. Master the ideal gas equation (\frac{pV}{T} = C) and be able to explain the microscopic origin of gas pressure from a molecular perspective.
6. Be able to differentiate physical properties between crystals and non-crystals, and understand the symmetry and anisotropy of crystal microstructures.
7. Understand the relationship among work, heat, and internal energy change; master the expression of the first law of thermodynamics \Delta U = Q + W, and perform quantitative calculations.
8. Be able to explain why perpetual motion machines of the first and second kind are impossible, from the perspectives of energy transformation and directionality.
9. Understand Clausius and Kelvin statements of the second law of thermodynamics, recognize the directionality of natural macroscopic processes, and grasp the principle of entropy increase.
10. Understand key quantized concepts such as quanta, photons, and energy levels; be able to apply Planck’s formula and Einstein’s photoelectric effect equation to solve physics problems.

🔹 Lesson 1: Molecular Kinetic Theory and Microscopic Nature

Overview: This lesson aims to reveal the microscopic essence behind macroscopic thermal phenomena through a microscopic viewpoint. It covers fundamental concepts of molecules, thermal motion, Brownian motion, mechanical characteristics of intermolecular forces; further includes quantitative estimation of molecular size via the oil film experiment, and uses statistical principles to explain the distribution of molecular speeds and the mechanism of gas pressure generation.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand microscopic composition: Be able to state the basic content of molecular kinetic theory, master calculations related to Avogadro’s constant, and comprehend the principle of estimating molecular size using the oil film method.
• Analyze motion and forces: Be able to distinguish between Brownian motion and thermal motion, and describe how intermolecular forces of attraction and repulsion vary with distance.
• Master statistical laws: Be able to use a statistical perspective to explain the microscopic origin of gas pressure, and analyze how temperature affects the distribution curve of molecular speeds.

🔹 Lesson 2: State Changes and Ideal Gas Laws

Overview: This unit traces the evolution from experimental gas laws to the ideal gas equation, exploring in depth the microscopic structures and macroscopic properties of solids and liquids. Through the scientific method of "ideal models," it integrates macroscopic thermodynamic phenomena with microscopic molecular kinetic theory, extending to modern technological applications such as liquid crystal displays.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand and skillfully apply Boyle's law, Charles's law, and Gay-Lussac's law to solve practical problems involving gas state changes.
• Master the ideal gas equation (\frac{pV}{T} = C), and be able to explain the microscopic origin of gas pressure.
• Be able to differentiate physical properties between crystals and non-crystals, and understand the symmetry and anisotropy of crystal microstructures.

🔹 Lesson 3: Thermodynamic Laws and Energy Conservation

Overview: This unit focuses on the core laws governing thermal phenomena from the perspective of energy transformation. The equivalence between work, heat, and internal energy change was established through Joule’s experiments, leading to the derivation of the first law of thermodynamics. Meanwhile, the second law of thermodynamics explores the directionality of natural processes, revealing the degradation of energy quality and the impossibility of perpetual motion machines.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the relationship among work, heat, and internal energy change; master the expression of the first law of thermodynamics \Delta U = Q + W and perform quantitative calculations.
• Be able to explain why perpetual motion machines of the first and second kinds are impossible, from the perspectives of energy transformation and directionality.
• Understand the Clausius and Kelvin statements of the second law of thermodynamics, recognize the directionality of natural macroscopic processes, and grasp the principle of entropy increase.

🔹 Lesson 4: Atomic Structure and Wave-Particle Duality

Overview: This unit explores the transition from classical physics to quantum physics, centered around the “quantization” characteristics of the microscopic world. Starting from the concept of energy quanta, it demonstrates the particle nature of light through the photoelectric effect, progresses to Rutherford’s atomic model and Bohr’s energy level transition theory, and ultimately establishes the concept of matter waves and the framework of quantum mechanics.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand core quantized concepts such as quanta, photons, and energy levels; be able to apply Planck’s formula and Einstein’s photoelectric effect equation to solve physics problems.
• Master the phenomenon and significance of the \alpha-particle scattering experiment; understand the nuclear model of the atom and Bohr’s energy level transition theory.
• Grasp the physical meaning of wave-particle duality; understand de Broglie’s matter wave theory and the application of quantum mechanics in modern technology.

🔹 Lesson 5: Nuclear Physics and Elementary Particles

Overview: This course covers the advancement of solid-state physics driven by quantum mechanics, along with a comprehensive exploration of the inner world of atomic nuclei. Topics include natural radioactivity, decay laws of atomic nuclei, nuclear reactions (fission and fusion) and their applications in energy and medicine, culminating in the deepest level of matter—elementary particles and the quark model.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand applications: Recognize the contribution of quantum mechanics to solid-state physics (e.g., semiconductors, chips); master the use of radioactive isotopes in medicine and industry.
• Master underlying patterns: Skillfully write nuclear reaction equations; understand the conservation laws of mass number and charge number; grasp the statistical significance of half-life.
• Explore energy sources: Explain the principles of nuclear fission chain reactions and nuclear fusion; understand cutting-edge developments in controlled thermonuclear reactions (magnetic confinement and inertial confinement).