Thermal Energy Unit

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

How does mass affect thermal energy transfer?

Back

Increasing the mass of a substance generally increases the amount of thermal energy required to change its temperature or state.

Front

What happens to the temperature of ice as thermal energy is added?

Back

As thermal energy is added to ice, its temperature increases until it reaches 0°C, where it begins to melt.

Front

What is the relationship between kinetic energy and temperature?

Back

The average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance is directly related to its temperature; higher temperature means higher average kinetic energy.

Front

What is the principle of energy transfer from hot to cold?

Back

Energy naturally transfers from regions of higher temperature to regions of lower temperature until thermal equilibrium is reached.

Front

What is the significance of a phase change in thermal energy?

Back

During a phase change, such as melting or boiling, the temperature of a substance remains constant while thermal energy is added or removed.

Front

What is the difference between heat and thermal energy?

Back

Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from one object to another due to a temperature difference, while thermal energy is the total energy of the particles in a substance.

Front

How does the arrangement of atoms affect the properties of a substance?

Back

The arrangement of atoms determines the physical and chemical properties of a substance, including its state (solid, liquid, gas) and behavior during phase changes.

Front

What is the effect of temperature on the state of matter?

Back

Temperature changes can cause substances to change state; for example, heating ice causes it to melt into water.

Front

What is thermal equilibrium?

Back

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