Thermal Energy and Heat Transfer

Front

What is thermal energy?

Back

Thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. It is related to the temperature of the substance and the number of particles.

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What is heat transfer?

Back

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

Front

What are the three methods of heat transfer?

Back

The three methods of heat transfer are conduction, convection, and radiation.

Front

Define conduction.

Back

Conduction is the transfer of heat through a solid material without the movement of the material itself, typically occurring in metals.

Front

Define convection.

Back

Convection is the transfer of heat through fluids (liquids and gases) by the movement of the fluid itself, often seen in boiling water.

Front

Define radiation.

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Radiation is the transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight warming the Earth.

Front

What is the difference between temperature and thermal energy?

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Temperature measures the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance, while thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of all particles.

Front

What is an insulator?

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An insulator is a material that does not conduct heat well, such as rubber or glass, and is used to reduce heat transfer.

Front

What is a conductor?

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A conductor is a material that allows heat to pass through it easily, such as metals like copper and aluminum.

Front

How does heat transfer occur in a vacuum?

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In a vacuum, heat transfer occurs only through radiation, as there are no particles to conduct or convect heat.