GRE Subject Test: Physics

The GRE Subject Test in Physics assesses knowledge and understanding of undergraduate-level physics concepts and principles.

Basic Concepts

Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics

Exploring Heat and Energy

Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics help us understand how heat, energy, and matter interact, from boiling water to the inner workings of stars.

Main Concepts

  • Laws of Thermodynamics: Rules about energy, heat, and work.
  • Entropy: A measure of disorder or randomness in a system.
  • Temperature: A way to quantify how hot or cold something is.

Everyday Uses

Whether it's running an engine or keeping food cold, thermodynamics is essential for energy management.

Common Formula

The first law: \( \Delta U = Q - W \), where energy changes equal heat added minus work done.

Key Formula

\[\Delta U = Q - W\]

Examples

  • Refrigerators cooling your food.

  • Steam engines powering trains.

In a Nutshell

Thermodynamics explains how energy moves and changes, and why some processes are irreversible.

Key Terms

Entropy
A measure of a system's disorder or randomness.
Heat
Energy transferred due to temperature difference.
Work
Energy transferred when a force moves an object.