SHS

General Physics 1
Quarter 2 – Week 7
Module 7B - Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
General Physics 1

Grade 11/12 Quarter 2 - Module 7B - Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

First Edition, 2020

Copyright © 2020
La Union Schools Division
Region I

All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form
without written permission from the copyright owners.

Development Team of the Module

Author: KIMBERLY CASANILLO

Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team

Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos Jr., P II

Management Team:

Atty. Donato D. Balderas, Jr.

Schools Division Superintendent

Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, PhD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

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Rominel S. Sobremonte, Ed.D., EPS in Charge of Science

Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II

Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II

General Physics 1
Quarter 2 – Week 7
Module 7B - Zeroth Law of
Thermodynamics
 Target

Did you experience riding on a hot-air balloon? Actually, it is a very

impractical vehicle to use if you need to get somewhere. You cannot really steer it
and it travels as fast as the speed of wind. However, if you just want to enjoy the
experience of flying, there is nothing quite like it. Many people describe flying in a
hot air balloon as one of the most serene, enjoyable activities they have ever
experienced.

What makes the balloon to rise up in the air? Heating the air inside a hot-air
balloon raises the air’s temperature, causing it to expand, and forces some of the air
out the opening at the bottom. The reduced amount of air inside means its density
is lower than the outside air, so there is a net buoyant force upward on the balloon.

In the previous lesson, you are done with effects of area, force, density and
depth to pressure, Pascal’s principle and Archimedes principle. In this module, we
deal on Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics, temperature and its effect on matter like
thermal expansion and volume expansion.

At the end of studying this learning module, you are expected to:

1. Explain the connection between the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics,

temperature, thermal equilibrium, and temperature scales (STEM_GP12TH-
IIg49);
2. Convert temperatures and temperature differences in the following scales:
Fahrenheit, Celsius, Kelvin (STEM_GP12TH-IIg50);
3. Define coefficient of thermal expansion and coefficient of volume expansion
(STEM_GP12TH-IIg51) ;
4. Calculate volume or length changes of solids due to changes in temperature
(STEM_GP12TH-IIg52);and
5. Solve problems involving temperature, thermal expansion, heat capacity, heat
transfer, and thermal equilibrium in contexts such as, but not limited to, the
design of bridges and train rails using steel, relative severity of steam burns
and water burns, thermal insulation, sizes of stars, and surface temperatures
of planets (STEM_GP12TH-IIg53)
 Jumpstart
Before moving on, assess how much you know about this topic.
Answer the pretest on the next page in a separate sheet of paper.

A. Complete the table below by performing temperature conversion on the

following values:
℃ ℉ 𝐾 𝑅
26.0
98.6
287
560

B. Direction: Read each statement carefully and choose the best answer that
corresponds each. Write the letter of best answer.

1. Which temperature scale dos not have a negative values?

A. Celsius C. Kelvin
B. Fahrenheit D. all of the above

2. Which law of thermodynamics states that for objects to be in thermal

equilibrium, they must have a common temperature?
A. First law C. Third law
B. Second law D. Zeroth law

3. Which of the following factors does the linear expansion of material depends?
A. Change in temperature C. Type of material
B. Length of material D. all of the above

4. Before entering a mall, the security guard check your temperature and it is
99.6℉. What is this in Celsius?
A. 37.56℃ B. 47.56℃ C. 57.56℃ D. 67.56 ℃

5. . What coefficient is defined as the change in volume divided by the original

volume and change in temperature?
A. Coefficient of area of expansion
B. Coefficient of linear expansion
C. Coefficient of thermal expansion
D. Coefficient of volume expansion
6. What coefficient is defined as the change in length divided by the original
length and change in temperature?
A. Coefficient of area of expansion
B. Coefficient of linear expansion
C. Coefficient of thermal expansion
D. Coefficient of volume expansion

7. A brass wire is 0.500 m long at 20℃, what is the change in length?

A. 1.80 × 10−4 𝑚 C. 2.00 × 10−4 𝑚
B. 1.90 × 10−4 𝑚 D. 2.10 × 10−4 𝑚

8. A 250.0 mL Pyrex glass container is fully filled with gasoline at 10.0°C. How
much gasoline will overflow if it is heated to 30.0°C? (Note: β of pyrex glass=9.0
×10^(-6)/C° and β of gasoline=950 ×10^(-6)/C°)
A. 4 mL B. 5 mL C. 6 mL D. 7Ml

9. A steel plate has a hole in it with a diameter of exactly 1.0cm when the plate
is at a temperature of 20°C. A steel ring has an inner diameter of exactly 1.0cm
at 20°C. Both the plate and the ring are heated to 100°C. Which statement is
TRUE?
A. The hole in the plate and the opening in the ring get larger.
B. The hole in the plate and the opening in the ring get smaller.
C. The hole in the plate gets smaller, and the opening in the ring gets larger
D. The opening in the ring gets larger, but we need the relative size of the
plate and the hole to know what happens to the hole.

10. Rod A has twice the diameter of rod B, but both are made of iron and have
the same initial length. Both rods are now subjected to the same change in
temperature (but remain solid). How would the change in the rods’ lengths
compare?
A. Rod A > Rod B C. Rod A = Rod B
B. Rod B > Rod A D. need more information
 Discover

Temperature
In everyday language, temperature is a measure of how hot or cold an object
is. On the molecular level, temperature is defined as a measure of kinetic energy of
molecules making up an object. The instrument used to measure temperature is
thermometer.

In order to measure temperature quantitively, numerical scales must be

defined. Several temperature scales have been developed of which are Celsius,
Fahrenheit, Kelvin and Rankine. Both the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales have been
designated to be the freezing and boiling point of water. On the Celsius scale, the
freezing point is 0℃ and the boiling point is 100℃. On the Fahrenheit scale, the
freezing point is 32℉ and the boiling point is 212℉. The conversion between Celsius
scale and Fahrenheit scale can be

5 9
𝑇𝑐 = (𝑇𝐹 − 32) 𝑜𝑟 𝑇𝐹 = (𝑇𝐶 + 32)
9 5

Temperature at which all molecules stop moving is known as absolute zero,

and this forms the basis for Kelvin scale, It zero point (0 K) corresponds to −273 ℃.
For Kelvin scale, temperature are not measured in degrees but in Kelvin (K). The
freezing point of water is at 273.16 K and the boiling point of water is 373.15 K.
Indeed, any temperature on the Celsius scale can be converted to Kelvins by adding
273.16 to it,

𝑇𝐾 = 𝑇𝐶 + 273.16

The Rankine Scale is the Fahrenheit counterpart of Kelvin scale. The

Fahrenheit scale and Rankine scale are related:

𝑇𝑅 = 𝑇𝐹 + 460

Take note, the symbols ℃, ℉ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 °𝑅 are used in reporting temperatures while
𝐶°, 𝐹°𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅°.

Sample Problem:

1. Normal body temperature is 98.6℉. Convert this temperature to (a) Celcius,

(b) Kelvin and (c) Rankine scales.

Given :

℉ = 98.6℉ 𝐾 =?
℃ =? 𝑅 =?
Solution:
5
a. 𝑇𝑐 = (𝑇𝐹 − 32)
9
5
= (98.6 ℉ − 32)
9
= 𝟑𝟕℃
b. 𝑇𝐾 = 𝑇𝐶 + 273.16
= 37℃ + 273.26
= 𝟑𝟏𝟎. 𝟐𝟔 𝑲
c. 𝑇𝑅 = 𝑇𝐹 + 460
= 98.6℉ + 460
= 𝟓𝟓𝟖. 𝟔 𝑹

Thermal Equilibrium and Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

If two objects at different temperatures are placed in a thermal contact, they
eventually come to the same temperature or they are then said to be in thermal
equilibrium. This concept was used by a British physicist and astronomer named
Ralph H. Fowler in formulating the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics. The Zeroth Law
of Thermodynamics states that if two systems or objects are in thermal equilibrium
with a third system or object, then they are in thermal equilibrium with each other.

For example, if object A is in thermal equilibrium with object B, and object A

is in thermal equilibrium with object C, then object B must be in thermal equilibrium
with object C.

Thermal Expansion
When the glass stopper of a bottle gets stuck, we usually heat the neck of the
bottle and after a while the stopper can be easily removed. Why? When we stack
drinking glasses one inside the other in the cupboard, both of them may stick
together and one or both of them may break when twisted apart. One safe way of
separating them is to pour some cold water into the inner glass and dip the outer
glass in hot water. After couple of seconds, the two glasses can easily be pulled apart.
What is the reason behind this?

Many properties of matter change as its temperature changes. Most materials

expand when their temperature is increased. The amount of expansion varies
depending on the material. Thermal expansion is least in solids and greatest in gases.

A. Linear Expansion

The change in length ∆𝐿 is directly proportional to the change in temperature

∆𝑇 and original length of the object, 𝐿0 . We can write this proportionality as an
equation:

∆𝐿 = 𝛼𝐿0 ∆𝑇
 Where:

∆𝐿 = change in length, meter (m)

𝐿0 = original length, meter (m)

∆𝑇= temperature change, degree Celsius (𝐶°)

𝛼 = coefficient of linear expansion, 𝐶°−1

The change in length may be negative means a decrease in length (contraction)

or positive means an increase in length (expansion) depending on the change in
temperature. The coefficient of linear expansion (𝛼) describes how the length of a
particular object changes with change in temperature. The values of 𝛼 depend on the
nature of the material. Listed below the table are 𝛼 of various materials at 20℃:

Table 1. Coefficients of Expansion, near 20℃

Thermal expansion is an essential consideration in building construction and

infrastructures. Seams are placed in concrete highways and sidewalks to allow for
expansion and prevent cracking.
Sample problem 1:

1. A steel beam is used in the construction of bridge is 9.5 m long at 23℃. On a

hot summer day, the temperature increases to 42℃ . What is the change in
length due to linear expansion?
Given:
𝐿 = 9.5 𝑚
∆𝑇 = 𝑇2 − 𝑇1 = 42℃ − 23℃ = 19℃
𝛼 = 12 × 10−6 𝐶°−1
∆𝐿 = ?

Solution:

∆𝐿 = 𝛼𝐿0 ∆𝑇

= (12 × 106 𝐶°−1 )(9.5 𝑚)(19℃)

= 𝟐. 𝟏𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒎

B. Volume Expansion

The change in volume of a material which undergoes a temperature change is

given by a relation similar to linear expansion, namely:

∆𝑉 = 𝛽𝑉0 ∆𝑇

Where:

∆𝑉 = change in volume, liter (L)

𝑉0 = original volume, liter (L)

∆𝑇= temperature change, degree Celsius (𝐶°)

𝛽 = coefficient of volume expansion, 𝐶°−1

Values of 𝛽 for various materials are given in Table ___. As you notice, 𝛽 is
normally equal to approximately three times the coefficient. The coefficient of volume
expansion for liquid is greater than that of solids.

Sample Problem:

1. A gasoline tank in a car has a capacity of 65 L at 20℃. If the tank is fully filled
without a cover, how much gasoline will overflow if the car is left in the sun
and the gasoline reaches a temperature of 40℃?

Given:

𝑉0 = 65 𝐿

∆𝑇 = 𝑇2 − 𝑇1 = 40℃ − 20℃ = 20℃

 Solution:

∆𝑉 = 𝛽𝑉0 ∆𝑇

= (950 × 106 𝐶°−1 )(65 𝐿)(20℃)

= 𝟏. 𝟐𝟒 𝑳

Explore

Work on the following activities to master and strengthen the basic

concepts you have learned from this lesson.

Activity 1. Temperature conversions

Direction. Solve the following problems systematically. Use another sheet of paper
for your solution.

1. According to a weather forecast of DOST PAG ASA, La Union will have a

temperature of 42℃ this coming weekend. Convert this temperature to a.
Kelvin, b. Fahrenheit and c. Rankine scales.
2. The temperature of a steel rod is increased by 45𝐹°. What is the corresponding
change in a. Celsius, b. Kelvin and c. Rankine?

Activity 2. Thermal expansion

Direction. Solve the following problems systematically. Use another sheet of paper
for your solution.

1. The 5.6 m tall brick and concrete Baluarte Watchtower is among La Union’s
tourist attraction. Estimate how much its height changes between April
(average temperature is 37℃) and June (average temperature is 40℃).
2. An ordinary glass is filled to the brim with 450.0 mL of water at 100.0°C. If
the temperature of glass and water is decreased to 20.0°C, how much water
could be added to the glass?

Excellent! You have understood the lesson. Are you now ready to
summarize?
 Deepen

Answer the essential questions in 3-5 sentences (5 points each). The scoring rubric
is given below the questions.

1. Is it meaningful to say that an object at a temperature of 200℃ is twice as hot

as one at 100℃? Explain your answer.
2. Why is a small gap left between railroad tracks instead of welding them
together?
3. Why is it easier to loosen the metal lid on a glass jar after dipping it under a
hot water?

Score Description
Excellent (5) • The main idea is a clear restating of the prompt.
• Each detail supports, or tells more about the topic.
Follow up sentences provide additional support.
• The paragraph contains no errors in usage and
mechanics
Good (4) • Main idea is present and clearly written
• Each detail supports the main idea, but there no
follow up sentences.
• The paragraph contains fewer than 3 errors in
mechanics/grammar.
Fair (3) • Main idea is present but does not restate the prompt
• Some of the details support the main idea, but there
are some that do not.
• The paragraph contains 4 to 7 errors in mechanics/
grammar
Poor (2) • Main idea is not present or is unclear
• The details do not support the main idea
• The paragraph contains more than 7 errors in
mechanics/grammar
 Gauge
Direction: Read each statement carefully and choose the best answer
that corresponds each. Write the letter of best answer.

1. What temperature scale is the Fahrenheit counterpart of the Kelvin scale?

A. Celsius C. Rankine
B. Kelvin D. none of the above

2. What is the value of absolute zero temperature?

A. 273 K B. -273℃ C. 0℃ D. -32℉

3. Which law states that if two systems or objects are in thermal equilibrium
with a third system or object, then they are in thermal equilibrium with each
other?
A. First law C. Third law
B. Second law D. Zeroth law

4. What coefficient describes the how length of a particular material changes as

temperature changes?
A. Coefficient of area of expansion
B. Coefficient of linear expansion
C. Coefficient of thermal expansion
D. Coefficient of volume expansion

5. Which of the following factors does the linear expansion of material depends?
A. Change in temperature C. Type of material
B. Length of material D. all of the above

6. Dry ice has a temperature of −110. 2℉. What would be its temperature in
Celsius scale?
A. -79℃ B. -80℃ C. -81℃ D. -82℃

7. Room temperature is often identified as 68℉. What temperature is this on the

Kelvin scale?
A. 263.16 K B. 273.16 K C. 283.16 K D. 293.16 K

8. The melting point of Sulfur is 115℃. What is the corresponding Rankine

temperature?
A. 723.6 °𝑅 B. 724.6°𝑅 C. 725.6°𝑅 D. 726.6°𝑅

9. At what temperature would the Celsius and the Fahrenheit reading be the
same?
A. -10° B. -20° C. -30° D. -40°
10. Two thermometers, one calibrated in the Celsius scale and the other one in
the Fahrenheit scale, are used to measure the same temperature. What is the
numerical reading on the Fahrenheit thermometer?
A. Greater than that on the Celsius thermometer
B. Less than that on the Celsius thermometer
C. Proportional to that on the Celsius thermometer
D. May be greater or less than that on the Celsius thermometer

11. A copper bar is 1.0 m long at 20℃. At what temperature will it be shorter by
1.0 mm?
A. 76.82℃ B. 77.82℃ C. 78.82℃ D. 79.82 ℃

12. The 70-liter (L) steel gas tank of a car is filled to the top with gasoline at 20°C.
The car sits in the Sun and the tank reaches a temperature of 40°C (104°F).
How much gasoline do you expect to overflow from the tank?
A. 1.3 L B. 1.4 L C. 1.5 L D. 1.6 L

13. What is the coefficient of linear expansion of a rod 1.0 m long and expands to
0.50 mm when heated to 20℃ to 80℃?
A. 7.33 × 10−6 𝐶°−1 C. 9.33 × 10−6 𝐶°−1
B. 8.33 × 10−6 𝐶°−1 D. 10.33 × 10−6 𝐶°−1

14. A 250 mL Pyrex glass container is filled with gasoline at 50.0℃. How much
gasoline is needed to fill the container again if it is cooled to 35℃?
A. 3.36 × 10−5 𝐿 C. 3.56 × 10−5 𝐿
B. 3.46 × 10 𝐿
−5 D. 3.66 × 10−5 𝐿

15. A steel rod A is twice smaller in diameter than steel rod B, but both have the
same initial length. Both steel rods are now subjected to the same change in
temperature (but remain solid). How would the change in the steel rods’
lengths compare?
A. Steel rod A > Steel rod B C. Steel rod A = Steel rod
B. Steel rod B > Steel rod A D. need more information
Jumpstart
A.
℃ ℉ 𝐾 𝑅
26.0 104.4 299.16 564.4
37 98.6 310.16 558.6
14 -10 287 450
37.78 100 310.94 560
B.
1. C.
2. D.
3. D.
4. A.
5. D.
6. B.
7. B.
8. B.
9. A.
10.C.
Explore
Activity 1.
1. a. 315.16 K, b. 133.2 ℉, c. 593.2°𝑅
2. a. 7.22℃, b. 280.38 K, c. 505 °𝑅
Activity 2
1. 2.016 × 10−4 m 2. 7.× 452−3 𝐿 m
Gauge
1. C.
2. B.
3. A.
4. B
5. D.
6. A
7. D.
8. B
9. D.
10.C.
11.C.
12.A.
13.B.
14.C.
15.C.
Key Answer:
References
Books:

Navaza, Delia C., Valdes, Bienvinido J. 2005. Physics. Quezon City. Phoenix
Publishing House, Inc.
Santos, Gil C. 2018. General Physic 1. Quezon City. Rex Book Store, Inc.
Santos, Gil Nonato C., Ocampo, Jorge P. 2003. e-Physic. Sampaloc, Manila. Rex Book
Store, Inc.
Silverio, Angelina A.2017. General Physics 1. 927 Quezon, Quezon City. Phoenix
Publishing House, Inc.