PREPWISER.
Practise online

Thermometry & Calorimetry revision notes

Every idea in the Thermometry & Calorimetry chapter for JEE Main, with the usual mistakes and the fast methods. Topic 1 is open to everyone; sign in free to read all 21 and download the PDF.

Sign in to read all 21Download PDF

Read the first part free. Sign in free with Google to read the rest and download the PDF: 7 A4 pages.7 A4 pages, ready to print.

How we count: 7× asked means 7 past JEE Main questions in the PrepWiser bank needed that concept, and "last" is the latest year one appeared. ★ marks ideas asked 8 or more times.

Temperature scales and thermometers

Linear temperature scales
5× asked, last 2025
C100=F−32180=K−273.15100=X−XiceXsteam−Xice\frac{C}{100}=\frac{F-32}{180}=\frac{K-273.15}{100}=\frac{X-X_{\text{ice}}}{X_{\text{steam}}-X_{\text{ice}}}
Any linear scale, faulty thermometers too. XiceX_{\text{ice}}, XsteamX_{\text{steam}} = its readings at the ice and steam points.
CCFFO10021232−40-40: both equalsteam pointice pointF=CF=C
F=1.8C+32F=1.8C+32: slope 1.8, intercept 32; it meets F=CF=C at −40-40
  • F=1.8C+32F=1.8C+32: a straight line of slope 1.8 with intercept 32 °F at C=0C=0. The Celsius and Fahrenheit readings are equal at −40-40.
  • Not ΔF=1.8 ΔC+32\Delta F=1.8\,\Delta C+32. A change of temperature has no offset: ΔF=1.8 ΔC\Delta F=1.8\,\Delta C and ΔK=ΔC\Delta K=\Delta C. The 32 and 273 belong only to readings.
  • Quick method. New scale or faulty thermometer: write (reading − lower fixed point) ÷ (upper − lower fixed point) for each scale and equate. Check the relation at both fixed points.
Gas and resistance thermometers
2× asked, last 2024
TT0=PP0  (const. V),t100=Rt−R0R100−R0\frac{T}{T_0}=\frac{P}{P_0}\;(\text{const. }V),\qquad \frac{t}{100}=\frac{R_t-R_0}{R_{100}-R_0}
Gas: TT in kelvin, P0P_0 at a known T0T_0 (ice point 273 K). Platinum wire: Rt=R0(1+αt)R_t=R_0(1+\alpha t), linear in tt.
  • Any property that changes linearly with temperature (gas pressure, wire resistance, liquid column) gives a thermometer through the same fixed-point ratio.
  • Not P∝tP\propto t in °C. Gas pressure at constant volume is proportional to absolute temperature. Take ratios in kelvin, then convert to °C if asked.

Practise Thermometry & Calorimetry questions as you read. Free, and you can start without signing up.

Practise Thermometry & Calorimetry

19 more concepts in 5 topics

Thermal expansion of solids; Liquids, water and expansion errors; Specific heat and energy conversion; Latent heat and phase change; and Calorimetry: method of mixtures. Read the first part free. Sign in free with Google to read the rest and download the PDF.

Sign in to read the restYou come straight back to this spot.Download the PDF

Thermal expansion of solids

  • Linear, area and volume expansion9×
  • Holes, cavities and rings3×
  • Density change2×
  • Rods joined end to end1×
  • Constant length difference1×
  • Bimetallic strip1×
  • Thermal stress1×

Liquids, water and expansion errors

  • Liquid in a vessel1×
  • Anomalous expansion of water2×
  • Pendulum clock
  • Metal scale error

Specific heat and energy conversion

  • Heat and specific heat6×
  • Molar specific heat and water equivalent1×
  • Mechanical energy into heat6×

Latent heat and phase change

  • Latent heat8×
  • Heating curve4×

Calorimetry: method of mixtures

  • Principle of calorimetry3×
  • Mixing with ice or steam6×
  • Experiment: specific heat by mixtures

Practise Thermometry & Calorimetry next

About 50 past JEE Main questions from this chapter, with instant answer checking and step-by-step solutions where available. Free, and you can start without signing up.

Practise Thermometry & Calorimetry

Also free on PrepWiser

Spotted a mistake? Write to support@prepwiser.in and we will fix it in the next version.

Version 1, October 2026. Free to share for study, as it is. Please don't sell it or remove the PrepWiser name.

PractiseSign in to read all 21Download PDF
Free with Google, takes a few seconds7 pages, free