Thermal Energy

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What is thermal energy?

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Thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of all the particles in an object, which is related to its temperature.

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What is temperature?

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Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules in an object.

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What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the process of heat transfer where molecules in substances directly transfer kinetic energy to each other through contact.

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What is convection?

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Convection is the transfer of heat in a fluid (liquid or gas) caused when hotter fluids rise and cooler fluids sink.

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What is radiation?

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Radiation is the transfer of thermal energy through empty space by invisible electromagnetic rays.

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What is the difference between conduction and convection?

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Conduction occurs through direct contact between materials, while convection involves the movement of fluids.

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What is an example of conduction?

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An example of conduction is a metal spoon getting hot when placed in a hot pot of soup.

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What is an example of convection?

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An example of convection is warm air rising and cool air sinking in a room, creating a circulation of air.

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What is an example of radiation?

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An example of radiation is feeling warmth from the sun on your skin, even though space is a vacuum.

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What is the role of thermal insulation?

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Thermal insulation reduces the transfer of heat between objects, helping to maintain temperature.