Exploring the Relationship Between Heat and Force in Molecular Breakage

In summary, heat is the transfer of energy due to a difference in temperature and is not a force. When something breaks because of heat, it can be due to various factors such as thermal expansion, softening of materials, or breaking of chemical bonds. The amount of heat in a star does not directly correlate to the force it applies on earth. While there is radiation pressure, it is not the same as heat applying a force. Gravity can cause heat, but it does not necessarily mean that heat can cause gravity. In physics, force is not a fundamental concept, and energy and momentum are considered more important.
  • #1
first martiAn
When we heat something then it breaks and it is due to the transfer of energy . But what if we ignore the energy and thought it as Force I.e. the object molecules break due to Force applied on each other ( molecules) . So is it right to say heat apply Force.?
 
Science news on Phys.org
  • #2
Heat is simply the transfer of energy due to a difference in temperature. If something breaks because of heat, it can be because of a series of factors, such as thermal expansion, the softening of materials, the breaking of chemical bonds, etc. So no, heat is not a force.
 
  • #3
what if we thinks of star's heat?? Is it not applying force on earth?
 
  • #4
first martiAn said:
what if we thinks of star's heat?? Is it not applying force on earth?
Knowing how much heat energy is in a star is not enough to tell us how much force its light applies on the earth.
 
  • Like
Likes first martiAn
  • #5
I think what OP is really getting at is that temperature is related to the motion of atoms. In a solid, its mainly the vibrational motion as they stand in the lattice structure (ie the pattern of Si and O in quartz crystal). Where they stand in the lattice structure is determined by electrostatics. In other words, the strength of that attraction is holding the solid together. The strength of the attraction depends on distances between atoms, greater distance means lower attraction.

So, when an atom's temperature increases and its motion carries it to a point of lower attraction, it comes apart.

But yeah, its incorrect to say heat applies a force. Heat is a transfer of energy. I suppose you could say work (the other energy transfer) can be the result of a force, but as mentioned the force construct isn't necessary. That's because work can also be thought of as a change in kinetic energy.
 
  • Like
Likes first martiAn
  • #6
The units for energy and force are different
Energy: kg m2s-2
Force: kg m s-2

Energy is a measurement work done by a force over a distance.
 
  • Like
Likes first martiAn
  • #7
first martiAn said:
what if we thinks of star's heat?? Is it not applying force on earth?
There is radiation pressure, but I wouldn't call that "heat applying a force".
 
  • Like
Likes first martiAn
  • #8
But pressure exert force.
 
  • #9
first martiAn said:
But pressure exert force.
Radiation pressure from starlight is miniscule and does not directly correlate to the heat in the star. The point stands -- there is no underlying principle of physics which says that "heat applies force".
 
  • Like
Likes first martiAn
  • #10
first martiAn said:
But pressure exert force.
Yes, but radiation pressure isn't heat!
 
  • Like
Likes first martiAn
  • #11
A star is formed when a large amount of gas, mostly hydrogen, starts to collapse in on itself due to its gravitational attraction . As it contracts, the atoms of the gas collide with each other more and more frequently and at greater and greater speeds - the gas heats up.
 
  • #12
So if gravity of molecules heat it up. Then why not heat can starts gravity to rise.
 
  • #13
first martiAn said:
So if gravity of molecules heat it up. Then why not heat can starts gravity to rise.
It seems that you are trying to reason that "if gravity can cause heat then heat must be able to cause gravity".

Counter-example:

If pulling the trigger on a gun causes a bullet to shoot out, does it follow that having a bullet shoot out will cause the shooter to pull the trigger again?
 
  • #14
first martiAn said:
A star is formed when a large amount of gas, mostly hydrogen, starts to collapse in on itself due to its gravitational attraction . As it contracts, the atoms of the gas collide with each other more and more frequently and at greater and greater speeds - the gas heats up.

The problem with your line of thought here is that you're trying to make "force" to be either as fundamental, or more fundamental, than energy. This is a path that will lead you to nowhere.

For example, I can have a value of energy, but I will have no force acting on it. An object in a constant potential energy is one such example. However, I cannot say this the other way around, i.e. I cannot say there is a force but there is no energy. Whenever there is a force acting, there MUST be a non-zero energy gradient.

Secondly, equating "pressure" with "force" is wrong. What is more "fundamental" here is the rate of change of momentum of each molecule of the gas. I can increase the temperature of the gas, but if there isn't any "container" for the molecule to bump into and exert a pressure, there will be no pressure and there is no force/area.

Finally, in classical and quantum mechanics, the Hamiltonian/Lagrangian formulation of the dynamics of a system contains no such thing as "force". There is only energy, momentum, position, etc.. but no force. If we were to teach this method to you from the very beginning instead of Newtonian mechanics, you will never know that there is such a thing as "force". It is not a necessary concept or quantity to describe our world.

Zz.
 
  • Like
Likes Asymptotic and madsmh
  • #15

Related to Exploring the Relationship Between Heat and Force in Molecular Breakage

1. What is the relationship between heat and force in molecular breakage?

The relationship between heat and force in molecular breakage is a complex one. Heat is a form of energy that is transferred from one molecule to another, causing them to vibrate and move more quickly. When a molecule is exposed to high levels of heat, the force between its atoms can become disrupted, leading to molecular breakage.

2. How does heat affect the strength of molecular bonds?

Heat can affect the strength of molecular bonds by increasing the kinetic energy of the molecules, which can weaken the bonds between the atoms. This can result in easier breakage of the bonds and ultimately, the breakdown of the molecule itself.

3. Can force alone cause molecular breakage?

No, force alone cannot cause molecular breakage. While force can certainly play a role in disrupting molecular bonds, it is often the combination of force and heat that leads to molecular breakage. This is because the added energy from heat can make the molecules more susceptible to the force.

4. Are there any other factors that can influence molecular breakage?

Yes, there are other factors that can influence molecular breakage, such as the type and strength of the bonds between the atoms, the chemical composition of the molecules, and the environment in which the molecules are located. These factors can all play a role in determining how much heat and force are needed to cause molecular breakage.

5. How is the relationship between heat and force in molecular breakage studied?

The relationship between heat and force in molecular breakage is studied through various scientific methods, including computer simulations, laboratory experiments, and theoretical models. These methods allow scientists to observe and analyze how heat and force interact with molecules and their bonds, and how this affects the overall process of molecular breakage.

Similar threads

  • Thermodynamics
Replies
28
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
904
  • Thermodynamics
Replies
20
Views
10K
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
21
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Thermodynamics
Replies
5
Views
5K
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • Thermodynamics
Replies
2
Views
818
Back
Top