Temperature and Energy

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Molecule Noun

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[mol-uh-kyool]

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Molecule

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The basic unit of a substance, formed when two or more atoms join together chemically and are constantly moving.

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Example: Two oxygen atoms bonded together form an oxygen molecule, showing how atoms join to create molecules.

Front

Kinetic Energy Noun

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[ki-net-ik en-er-jee]

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Kinetic Energy

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The energy an object has due to its motion; the faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has.

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Example: A roller coaster moving down a track shows kinetic energy increasing as it speeds up.

Front

Temperature Noun

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[tem-per-uh-cher]

Back

Temperature

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A measure of the average kinetic energy of the individual molecules that make up a substance or object.

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Example: Molecules moving faster in a warmer area and slower in a cooler area show temperature differences.

Front

Collision Noun

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[kuh-lizh-uhn]

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Collision

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An event where two or more moving objects, such as molecules, exert forces on each other in a short time.

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Example: Two molecules colliding, showing energy transfer and forces exerted during the collision.

Front

Energy Transfer Noun

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[en-er-jee trans-fur]

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Energy Transfer

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The movement of energy from one object or system to another, such as from faster molecules to slower ones.

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Example: Heat flows from a hot object to a cold one, showing energy transfer.

Front

Heat Noun

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[heet]

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Heat

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The transfer of thermal energy from a warmer substance to a cooler one because of a difference in their temperatures.

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Example: Heat transfer from warm to cool areas shown by particle movement and arrows.

Front

Conservation of Energy Noun

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[kon-ser-vey-shuhn of en-er-jee]

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Conservation of Energy

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The fundamental principle that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only changed from one form to another or transferred.

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Example: A Newton's cradle shows energy transferring between spheres, illustrating conservation of energy.

Front

System Noun

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[sis-tuhm]

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System

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A collection of interacting objects or parts that are being studied together as a whole to understand energy changes.

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Example: A thermometer in water shows how energy transfer affects temperature in a system.

Front

Equilibrium Noun

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[ee-kwuh-lib-ree-uhm]

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Equilibrium

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A stable state in which energy transfer stops because all molecules in a system have reached the same temperature.

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Example: Heat flows from a hot object to a cold one until both reach the same temperature.

Front

Thermal Energy Noun

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[thur-muhl en-er-jee]

Back

Thermal Energy

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The total kinetic energy of all the moving atoms or molecules that make up an object or substance.

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Example: Particles in a hot area move faster, transferring thermal energy to a cooler area.