Have you ever asked yourself why a thermometer is so accurate in measuring the temperature of your body, why ice melts or why metals are colder than wood at the same temperature? These phenomena in everyday life are described in a simple and interesting manner in Chapter 10, Class 11 Physics: Thermal Properties of Matter. These NCERT notes are designed by highly qualified faculty members based on the updated 2025-26 CBSE syllabus and are perfect in terms of board exams, JEE, NEET, and other competitive exams.
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The topics that are found to be important in NCERT notes are heat transfer (conduction, convection, and radiation), specific and latent heat, the law of cooling by Newton, and thermal expansion. These NCERT Notes for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 Thermal Properties of Matter make the learning process simple and quick with well-organised formulas, clear explanations, and examples of real life. The NCERT Notes for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 Thermal Properties of Matter can be used by students to revise quickly, understand concepts, and to practice exam-oriented studies so that they can be able to master both theoretical and numerical problems.
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These Thermal Properties of Matter Class 11 Notes are easy and quick to revise, and provide step-by-step explanations, key formulas, and solved problems. The PDF is free to download, and the students can study it anywhere and at any time to sharpen their knowledge and gain enough confidence to have a successful experience at the board exams, JEE and NEET. The notes are useful to facilitate the conceptualisation, training in the practical mathematical tasks, as well as reviewing effectively.
These Thermal Properties of Matter Class 11 Notes are a concise and clear summary of all the significant concepts, formulas and solved examples. They will be ready to make students learn the thermal properties of matter with ease and have a revision with ease. These notes are perfect in the preparation of board exams, JEE, and NEET and help to learn at a faster and more efficient rate.
Temperature is the measurement of a body's degree of hotness or coolness.
Example:- A cup of hot soup or an ice cream scoop
Heat is a kind of energy that is exchanged via the temperature difference between two (or more) systems or between a system and its surroundings.
For example, a cup of hot coffee might be regarded as an object or system, whereas everything else is the environment.
As a result of the temperature difference, heat will move from one thing to another.
The SI unit of Heat is the joule.
A thermometer is used to determine the temperature.
In liquid-in-glass thermometers, mercury and alcohol are regularly used liquids.
The following graph depicts the relationship between temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit graphically:-
$\left(t_{\mathrm{f}}-32\right) / 180=t_{\mathrm{c}} / 100$
Where tf means Fahrenheit temperature
tc means Celsius temperature
A thermometer that employs any gas, on the other hand, will produce the same readings regardless of the gas used since all gases expand at the same rate at low temperatures.
The following variables are used to characterise the behaviour of gas:
Quantity(mass)
Pressure
Volume
Temperature
Gases with a low density obey the following rules: -
1. Boyle’s Law– In this law, the product of PV = constant(when temperature T is constant)
2. Charles’ Law- In this law, the ratio of V/T = constant (when pressure P is constant)
When both of the preceding principles are combined, the equation becomes PV = RT, where R stands for the universal gas constant.
The minimal absolute temperature of an ideal gas is defined as Absolute Zero.
We get a straight line if we plot pressure versus temperature and then extend the line backwards to the x-axis, as seen in the graph below.
The lowest temperature measured (experimentally) was -273.15 °C, which is known as absolute zero.
The relationship between temperature in Kelvin and temperature in Celsius is provided by
$\mathbf{T}=\mathbf{t}_c+273.15$
Thermal expansion is the phenomenon of a body's dimensions expanding as its temperature rises.
Expansion in length is known as linear expansion.
Expansion in the area is known as area expansion.
Volume Expansion: This is a term that refers to the increase in volume of anything.
The term "linear expansion" refers to the length of anything expanding as the temperature rises.
The term "linear expansion" refers to a fractional change in length or how the length changes in relation to the original length.
$\Delta L / L=\alpha_L \Delta T$
ΔL is the length change, L is the initial length, ΔT is the temperature change, and αL is the linear coefficient of thermal expansion.
The term "area expansion" refers to the expansion of an area as a result of an increase in temperature.
There is an increase in both length and width when an area is expanded.
$\Delta \mathbf{A} / \mathbf{A}=\alpha_{\mathrm{a}} \Delta \mathbf{T}$
Where αa = coefficient of area expansion.
It is defined as the expansion of volume as a result of an increase in temperature.
This indicates that a substance's length, width, and height have increased.
$\Delta V / V=\alpha_v \Delta T$
Where αv = coefficient of volume expansion.
At 4 °C, water has the highest density.
When the temperature drops below 4 °C, the water expands, and the density falls.
Because of this feature, water in lakes and ponds only freezes at the top layer and not at the bottom, but if the water freezes at the bottom as well, animal and plant life would be unable to survive.
A quantity termed the heat capacity of a substance characterises the change in temperature of a substance when a particular amount of heat is absorbed or rejected by that substance.
$S=\Delta Q / \Delta T$
Where ΔQ is the amount of heat supplied to the substance and ΔT change in its temperature.
Specific heat is the amount of heat received or rejected per unit mass by a substance to change its temperature by one degree.
$\mathbf{s}=\mathbf{S} / \mathbf{m}$
The heat capacity per mole is the amount of heat (in moles) absorbed or rejected by a substance to change its temperature by one unit.
$C=S / \mu=\Delta Q / \mu \Delta T$
The molar specific heat capacity (Cp) is defined as follows:
The equivalent molar specific heat capacity at constant pressure is called molar specific heat capacity at constant pressure if the gas is retained at constant pressure during the heat transfer (Cp).
The equivalent molar specific heat capacity at constant volume is called molar specific heat capacity at constant volume if the volume of the gas is maintained during the heat transfer (Cv).
The word calorimetry comes from two parts:
Calorie, which means "heat"
Metry, which means "measuring"
So, calorimetry is the process of measuring heat.
It involves the transfer of heat from a hotter body to a cooler body, while making sure that no heat is lost to the surroundings.
The basic idea behind calorimetry is that the heat lost by one body is equal to the heat gained by another. The device used to measure this heat transfer is called a calorimeter.
A change of state is when a substance transitions from one form (solid, liquid, or gas) to another. For example:
Melting is when a solid (like ice) turns into a liquid (like water).
Fusion is the process by which a liquid (like water) turns into a solid (like ice).
In thermal equilibrium, there’s no heat gain or loss. The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which its solid and liquid states are in balance (equilibrium).
Normal Melting Point: This is the temperature at which a substance melts under standard atmospheric pressure.
Regelation is the process where pressure lowers the freezing point of water, allowing ice to melt under pressure and refreeze when the pressure is reduced.
Vaporisation is the process by which a liquid changes into a gas (for example, water turning into steam).
Sublimation is when a solid directly turns into a gas without becoming a liquid first. During sublimation, both the solid and gas forms exist in thermal equilibrium.
Latent heat is the amount of heat energy required to change the state of a substance without changing its temperature. For example, during melting or boiling, a substance absorbs or releases heat, but its temperature stays constant. There are two main types: latent heat of fusion (solid to liquid) and latent heat of vaporisation (liquid to gas). This concept helps explain why ice melts or water boils at specific temperatures.
Heat transfer refers to the process by which thermal energy moves from a body at a higher temperature to one at a lower temperature. This transfer can occur in three primary ways:
Newton's Law of Cooling states that the rate at which a hot object cools down is directly proportional to the difference in temperature between the object and its surroundings, provided this difference is small. In simple words, the hotter the object compared to its surroundings, the faster it loses heat.
$
\frac{d T}{d t}=-k\left(T-T_{\text {surrounding }}\right)
$
Where:
Q1: Water falls from a height of 200 m into a pool. Calculate the rise in temperature of the water, assuming no heat dissipation from the water in the pool.
(Take $\mathrm{g}=10 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}^2$, specific heat of water $=4200 \mathrm{~J} /(\mathrm{kg} \mathrm{K})$ )
Answer:
Setting the potential energy loss equal to the heat gained:
$\begin{aligned} & m g h=m s \Delta T \\ & \Delta T=\frac{g h}{S}=\frac{10 \times 200}{4200}=0.48 \mathrm{~K}\end{aligned}$
Q2:
Two cylindrical rods A and B made of different materials, are joined in a straight line. The ratio of lengths, radii and thermal conductivities of these rods are : $\frac{L_A}{L_B}=\frac{1}{2}, \frac{r_A}{r_B}=2$ and $\frac{\mathrm{K}_A}{K_B}=\frac{1}{2}$. The free ends of rods A and B are maintained at $400 \mathrm{~K}, 200 \mathrm{~K}$, respectively. The temperature of rods interface is _____ K , when equilibrium is established.
Answer:
$\begin{aligned} & \mathrm{R}_1=\frac{\ell_1}{\mathrm{~K}_1 \mathrm{~A}_1}, \mathrm{R}_2=\frac{\ell_2}{\mathrm{~K}_2 \mathrm{~A}_2} \\ & \frac{\mathrm{dQ}}{\mathrm{dt}}=\frac{\Delta \mathrm{T}}{\mathrm{R}} \\ & \left(\frac{\mathrm{dQ}}{\mathrm{dt}}\right)_1=\left(\frac{\mathrm{dQ}}{dt}\right)_2 \\ & \frac{400-T}{R_1}=\frac{T-200}{R_2} \\ & \frac{400-\mathrm{T}}{\mathrm{T}-200}=\frac{\mathrm{R}_1}{\mathrm{R}_2}=\left(\frac{\ell_1}{\ell_2}\right)\left(\frac{\mathrm{r}_2}{\mathrm{r}_1}\right)^2 \times \frac{\mathrm{K}_2}{\mathrm{~K}_1} =\frac{1}{2} \times\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 \times 2 =\left(\frac{1}{4}\right) \\ & \frac{400-\mathrm{T}}{\mathrm{T}-200}=\frac{1}{4} \\ & 1600-4 \mathrm{~T}=\mathrm{T}-200 \\ & 5 \mathrm{~T}=1800 \\ & \mathrm{~T}=360 \mathrm{~K}\end{aligned}$
Hence, the answer is 360.
Q3:
Consider a rectangular sheet of solid material of length $/=9 \mathrm{~cm}$ and width $d=4 \mathrm{~cm}$. The coefficient of linear expansion is $\alpha=3.1 \times 10^{-5} \mathrm{~K}^{-1}$ at room temperature and one atmospheric pressure. The mass of sheet $m=0.1 \mathrm{~kg}$ and the specific heat capacity $C_v=900 \mathrm{~J} \mathrm{~kg}^{-1} \mathrm{~K}^{-1}$. If the amount of heat supplied to the material is $8.1 \times 10^2 \mathrm{~J}$ then change in area of the rectangular sheet is
Answer:
$\begin{aligned} & Q=m c \Delta T \\ & 8.1 \times 10^2=900 \times 0.1 \times \Delta T \\ & \Delta T=9 \mathrm{~K} \\ & \Delta A=A \cdot 2 \propto \Delta T \\ & =36 \times 2 \times 3.1 \times 10^{-5} \times 9 \times 10^{-4} \\ & =2 \times 10^{-6} \mathrm{~m}^2\end{aligned}$
Thermal Properties of Matter Class 11 Notes are necessary to create a solid conceptual base. They assist the students to understand the major subjects, such as the transfer of heat, thermal expansion, and specific heat in a simple and fast manner. The notes are especially handy when revising, taking board exams, and competitive exams such as JEE and NEET.
These NCERT Class 12 Physics notes provide a structured and comprehensive way to revise all chapters efficiently. Designed by subject experts, the notes simplify complex concepts, include important formulas, solved examples, and key points, making them ideal for quick revision. Students can access chapter-wise links to download PDFs, helping them study anytime and anywhere, whether for board exams or competitive exams like JEE and NEET.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, the NCERT notes for Class 11 Physics chapter 10 do not include all of the important derivations. This NCERT note summarises the chapter's important points and equations and can be used to review the chapter's Thermal Properties of Matter.
Vaporization :-Vaporization is the process of changing from a liquid to a gas.
The transition from a liquid to a vapour (or gas) is known as vaporisation.
Temperature is the measurement of a body's degree of hotness or coolness.
Example:-
A cup of hot soup or an ice cream scoop
Thermal Equilibrium: During this state, there is no heat loss or gain.
Sublimation:-Sublimation is the transformation of a solid into a gas.
Both the solid and vapour states of a substance coexist in thermal equilibrium throughout the sublimation (solid converts to vapour without going through liquid state) process.
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