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Unit Plan
Texas Education Agency

Texas Gateway: Applications of Thermodynamics: Heat Pumps and Refrigerators

For Students 11th - 12th
By the end of this section, you will be able to describe the use of heat engines in heat pumps and refrigerators, demonstrate how a heat pump works to warm an interior space, explain the differences between heat pumps and refrigerators,...
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Handout
State Energy Conservation Office-Texas

State Energy Conservation Office: Grounded Coupled Heat Pumps [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains how a heat pump system works, and how a ground-coupled system improves its efficiency and saves money.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Pump

For Students 9th - 10th
Heat flow from a hot region to a cold region is described and explained. Applications of this phenomenon (specifically heat pumps and refrigerators) are discussed. Excellent graphics.
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Handout
MadSci Network

Msn: How Does an Air Conditioner or Refrigerator Work?

For Students 9th - 10th
From the Mad Scientist Network. Using a question and answer format, this page explains the answer to the question "How does An air conditioner or refrigerator work?" The scientific principles which underly their operation and the process...
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Website
University of Sydney (Australia)

Thermal Physics Module: Refrigerators and Heat Pumps [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Refrigerators and heat pumps are described. Their operation is explained and the variables which improve their efficiency is discussed.
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Website
Other

Applied Thermodynamics: Heat Engines

For Students 9th - 10th
Forward and reverse heat engines are discussed and explained at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. Diagrams are provided. Efficiency equations are given and discussed.
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Website
Other

Applied Thermodynamics: Steam Turbine

For Students 9th - 10th
A steam turbine is defined at Applied Thermodynamics. The individual steps of a steam turbine engine are illustrated and explained.
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Handout
Other

Applied Thermodynamics: Diesel Cycle

For Students 9th - 10th
The P-V diagram for a diesel cycle is provided and discussed at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. The steps of the thermodynamic cycle are labeled (and defined elsewhere). An equation for thermal efficiency is given.