Intro to Thermal Energy

Front

What is thermal energy?

Back

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

Front

How does thermal energy move?

Back

Thermal energy always moves from a warmer area to a cooler area.

Front

What causes atoms to have kinetic energy?

Back

Atoms have kinetic energy because they are always vibrating.

Front

What happens to the temperature as the kinetic energy of molecules increases?

Back

As kinetic energy of the molecules in a substance increases, the temperature increases.

Front

What does temperature measure?

Back

Temperature measures the average kinetic energy of the atoms in a substance.

Front

What happens to an object as its thermal energy increases?

Back

As its thermal energy increases, the object heats up.

Front

What is the relationship between thermal energy and heat?

Back

Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from one object to another due to a temperature difference.

Front

What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the process of heat transfer through direct contact between materials.

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the transfer of thermal energy through the movement of fluids (liquids and gases).

Front

What is radiation?

Back

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