Thermal Energy

Front

What is thermal energy?

Back

Thermal energy is the energy that comes from the temperature of matter. It is the total kinetic energy of the particles in an object.

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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 difference in temperature.

Front

What are the three methods of heat transfer?

Back

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

Front

What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials.

Front

What is convection?

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Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases) caused by differences in temperature and density.

Front

What is radiation?

Back

Radiation is the transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as light or infrared radiation.

Front

How does heat transfer occur between a hot object and a cold object?

Back

Heat transfers from the hot object to the cold object until they reach thermal equilibrium (the same temperature).

Front

What happens to the temperature of a substance when it absorbs heat?

Back

When a substance absorbs heat, its temperature increases as the kinetic energy of its particles increases.

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.

Front

Why do smaller ice cubes melt faster than larger ones?

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Smaller ice cubes have a larger surface area relative to their volume, allowing them to absorb heat more quickly and melt faster.