Thermal Energy Practice

Front

What is thermal energy?

Back

Thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, which is related to its temperature.

Front

What happens to the temperature of a substance when its molecules speed up?

Back

The temperature of the substance increases.

Front

What does it mean for samples to be at equilibrium?

Back

Samples are at equilibrium when they are at the same temperature and there is no net transfer of thermal energy between them.

Front

What is the relationship between thermal energy and temperature?

Back

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, while thermal energy is the total energy of all the particles.

Front

What occurs during thermal energy transfer?

Back

Thermal energy transfer occurs when heat moves from a hotter object to a cooler one until thermal equilibrium is reached.

Front

What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through direct contact between materials.

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the transfer of thermal energy through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases) caused by differences in temperature.

Front

What is radiation?

Back

Radiation is the transfer of thermal energy through electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight.

Front

How does thermal energy affect states of matter?

Back

Increasing thermal energy can cause a substance to change from solid to liquid (melting) or from liquid to gas (evaporation).

Front

What is the specific heat capacity?

Back

Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius.