Energy Transfer and Temperature

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Energy Noun

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[en-er-jee]

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Energy

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The fundamental capacity to do work or cause change, existing in various forms such as kinetic, potential, and thermal.

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Example: A ball at the top of a ramp has stored potential energy, which changes to kinetic energy (energy of motion) as it rolls down.

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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 possesses due to its motion, which is dependent on both its mass and velocity.

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Example: A soccer ball flying through the air has kinetic energy because it is an object in motion.

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Potential Energy Noun

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[po-ten-shul en-er-jee]

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Potential Energy

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Stored energy an object has based on its position, state, or internal structure, ready to be converted into other forms.

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Example: A diver high above the water has stored potential energy due to their position, which will convert to motion energy as they fall.

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Thermal Energy Noun

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[thur-muhl en-er-jee]

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Thermal Energy

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The total internal kinetic energy of the particles in a substance resulting from their random motion and vibrations.

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Example: This shows thermal energy as the motion of particles; the fast-moving red particles have more thermal energy than the slow-moving blue particles.

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Temperature Noun

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[tem-per-uh-cher]

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Temperature

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A quantitative measure of the average kinetic energy of the individual particles within a substance, indicating its degree of hotness.

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Example: This image shows a thermometer, a tool used to measure temperature, which is the degree of how hot or cold something is.

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Conduction Noun

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[kon-duhk-shun]

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Conduction

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The process of transferring thermal energy through direct contact and collisions between adjacent particles of matter.

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Example: This diagram shows that heat energy naturally flows from a hotter object (the red block) to a colder object (the blue block).

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Conductor Noun

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[kon-duhk-ter]

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Conductor

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A material or substance that allows for the efficient transfer of thermal energy or electric charge through it.

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Example: This diagram shows a material conducting heat, allowing thermal energy to flow from the hot liquid to the cold liquid.

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Insulator Noun

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[in-suh-ley-ter]

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Insulator

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A material that significantly resists or slows down the flow of thermal energy or an electric current.

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Example: The yellow material shown between the layers of this wall is a thermal insulator, which slows the transfer of heat to keep a building warm or cool.

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Thermal Equilibrium Noun

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[thur-muhl ee-kwi-lib-ree-uhm]

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Thermal Equilibrium

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The state where two objects in contact have reached the same temperature, resulting in no net flow of thermal energy.

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Example: A hot object placed in a cold liquid transfers heat until both reach the same temperature. This final, balanced state is called thermal equilibrium.

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Convection Noun

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[kon-vek-shun]

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Convection

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The transfer of thermal energy through the bulk movement of particles within fluids, such as liquids or gases.

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Example: Heating a fluid from below causes warmer, less dense parts to rise and cooler, denser parts to sink, creating a circular flow.