Energy Transformations & Heat Transfer

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 a substance.

Front

What form of energy do plants absorb during photosynthesis?

Back

Plants absorb solar energy during photosynthesis to produce and store chemical energy.

Front

What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials. For example, when your feet touch hot sand, heat is transferred through conduction.

Front

What is the formula for total mechanical energy?

Back

Total mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy: Total Mechanical Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy.

Front

What happens to chemical energy in a firecracker?

Back

In a firecracker, stored chemical energy is transformed into sound, light, and thermal energy when it explodes.

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy of an object due to its motion. It depends on the mass and speed of the object.

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the stored energy of an object due to its position or state. For example, a ball held at a height has gravitational potential energy.

Front

What is solar energy?

Back

Solar energy is the energy from the sun that can be converted into thermal or electrical energy.

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases). For example, warm air rising and cool air sinking creates convection currents.

Front

What is radiation?

Back

Radiation is the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves. An example is the heat from the sun reaching the Earth.