IPC Chapter 5: Thermal Energy

Front

What is active solar heating?

Back

Active solar heating is the use of solar collectors to absorb radiant energy and convert it into usable heat, often involving mechanical systems to distribute the heat.

Front

What is passive solar heating?

Back

Passive solar heating involves designing buildings to naturally collect and store solar energy, typically through large windows on the south side to maximize sunlight exposure.

Front

What process forms wind and ocean currents?

Back

Convection is the process that forms wind and ocean currents, driven by the movement of warm air or water rising and cooler air or water sinking.

Front

What type of engine is an internal combustion engine?

Back

An internal combustion engine is a type of engine where fuel is burned inside the engine itself, such as in automobile engines and steam engines.

Front

What is the typical efficiency of a gasoline engine?

Back

A typical gasoline engine is approximately 25% efficient, meaning only a quarter of the energy from the fuel is converted into useful work.

Front

Define thermal energy.

Back

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

Front

What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the transfer of heat through a material without the movement of the material itself, occurring mainly in solids.

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the transfer of heat through fluids (liquids and gases) caused by the movement of the fluid itself, often resulting in currents.

Front

What is radiation in the context of thermal energy?

Back

Radiation is the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves, such as heat from the sun reaching the Earth.

Front

What is the role of a solar collector?

Back

A solar collector is a device that captures solar energy and converts it into heat for water heating or space heating.