Thermal Energy Transfer Practice

Front

What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through direct contact between materials. It occurs when heat moves from a hotter object to a cooler one, such as when a metal spoon is heated in a pot of soup.

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the transfer of thermal energy through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases). It occurs when warmer, less dense fluid rises and cooler, denser fluid sinks, creating a circulation pattern.

Front

What is radiation?

Back

Radiation is the transfer of thermal energy through electromagnetic waves. It does not require a medium to travel through, which is why you can feel the heat from the sun even in space.

Front

Example of conduction in everyday life?

Back

An example of conduction is when you touch a hot stove and feel the heat transfer to your hand.

Front

Example of convection in everyday life?

Back

An example of convection is when boiling water in a pot; the hot water rises to the top while cooler water sinks.

Front

Example of radiation in everyday life?

Back

An example of radiation is feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin or the heat from a campfire.

Front

What happens to particles during conduction?

Back

During conduction, particles in the hotter object vibrate faster and transfer their energy to adjacent, slower-moving particles in the cooler object.

Front

What happens to particles during convection?

Back

In convection, warmer fluid particles move up while cooler particles move down, creating a cycle that transfers heat throughout the fluid.

Front

What happens to particles during radiation?

Back

In radiation, energy is emitted in the form of electromagnetic waves, which can travel through a vacuum and be absorbed by other objects.

Front

How does a thermos keep drinks hot or cold?

Back

A thermos uses insulation to reduce heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation, keeping drinks at their desired temperature.