Conduction, Convection, Radiation

Front

What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials. It occurs when heat moves from a hotter object to a cooler one through physical touch.

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases). It occurs when warmer parts of a fluid rise and cooler parts sink, creating a circulation pattern.

Front

What is radiation?

Back

Radiation is the transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves. It does not require a medium to travel through, allowing heat to move through space, like the heat from the Sun reaching Earth.

Front

How does heat move between objects?

Back

Heat moves from warm places or objects to cooler places or objects until thermal equilibrium is reached.

Front

What happens to a spoon when it stirs hot cocoa?

Back

The spoon gets hot due to conduction, as heat is transferred from the hot cocoa to the spoon through direct contact.

Front

How does heat energy reach the Earth from the Sun?

Back

Heat energy from the Sun reaches the Earth through radiation.

Front

What causes the side of a chair near a fire to get warm?

Back

The side of the chair facing the fireplace gets warm due to radiation from the fire.

Front

What is an example of convection in action?

Back

An example of convection is when colored liquids in a decorative lamp form globs that rise to the top due to the heating of the liquid.

Front

What is thermal equilibrium?

Back

Thermal equilibrium is the state reached when two objects in contact with each other reach the same temperature and no heat flows between them.

Front

What is an example of conduction in everyday life?

Back

An example of conduction is when you touch a metal spoon that has been sitting in a hot pot of soup; the heat transfers from the soup to the spoon.