Thermal Energy Vocabulary

Front

What is an insulator?

Back

A material that does not transfer heat easily.

Front

What is conduction?

Back

The transfer of thermal energy that occurs in solids, liquids, and gases when two substances of different temperatures touch.

Front

Why might Amy's dolls not warm up when wrapped in blankets?

Back

The blankets she uses are probably poor conductors.

Front

What is radiation?

Back

The transfer of energy of movement by electromagnetic waves by subatomic particles.

Front

What is a conductor?

Back

A substance that allows the flow of electrical charge or transfers energy through matter.

Front

What is thermal energy?

Back

The total energy of all the particles in an object, related to temperature.

Front

What is convection?

Back

The transfer of thermal energy through the movement of fluids (liquids and gases).

Front

What is the difference between conductors and insulators?

Back

Conductors allow heat to flow easily, while insulators do not.

Front

What is heat transfer?

Back

The movement of thermal energy from one object to another.

Front

What is the role of temperature in thermal energy transfer?

Back

Temperature determines the direction of heat transfer; heat moves from higher to lower temperature.