Thermal Energy Unit Vocabulary Review

Front

What is the energy that an object has because it is moving?

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. It depends on the mass and speed of the object.

Front

What do we call the moment when two objects hit each other?

Back

A collision is an event where two or more bodies exert forces on each other for a relatively short time.

Front

What is a balanced state in which a system is stable, such as when two or more samples are at the same temperature?

Back

Equilibrium is the state where opposing forces or influences are balanced.

Front

What does it mean to move from one object to another or one place to another?

Back

Transfer refers to the process of moving energy or matter from one location or object to another.

Front

What is a group of atoms joined together in a particular way?

Back

A molecule is the smallest unit of a chemical compound that retains its chemical properties.

Front

What is the term for the measure of how hot or cold something is?

Back

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.

Front

What is the energy stored in an object due to its position or arrangement?

Back

Potential energy is the energy held by an object because of its position relative to other objects.

Front

What is the process called when heat moves from a warmer object to a cooler object?

Back

Heat transfer is the movement of thermal energy from one object to another.

Front

What is the term for the total amount of energy in a system?

Back

The total energy of a system includes both kinetic and potential energy.

Front

What do we call the ability to do work or cause change?

Back

Energy is the capacity to do work or produce change.