Thermal Energy Review

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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 in a system, existing in various forms like kinetic or potential.

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Example: This diagram shows how energy changes from potential (stored) to kinetic (motion) on a roller coaster, but it does not illustrate thermal energy.

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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 that an object or its particles possess due to their motion, which increases with speed and mass.

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Example: This image shows a soccer ball being kicked to demonstrate kinetic energy, the energy of motion, which is related to an object's speed and mass.

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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 kinetic and potential energy of all the particles within an object, which increases as its temperature rises.

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Example: This image compares two beakers, one with hot water and one with ice, showing that the substance with a higher temperature has more thermal energy.

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Temperature Noun

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[tem-per-uh-cher]

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Temperature

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

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Example: This diagram compares the Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales, showing the freezing point (0°C, 32°F) and boiling point (100°C, 212°F) of water.

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Heat Noun

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[heet]

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Heat

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The transfer of thermal energy from a warmer object or substance to a cooler one due to a temperature difference.

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Example: This diagram shows that heat is the flow of thermal energy from a hotter object (red block) to a colder object (blue block).

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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 reach the same temperature, causing the net transfer of heat between them to cease.

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Example: This diagram shows a hot object (100°) and a cold object (0°) exchanging heat over time until both reach the same intermediate temperature (50°), which is thermal equilibrium.

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Conduction Noun

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[kuhn-duhk-shuhn]

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Conduction

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The transfer of thermal energy through direct contact, caused by collisions between particles in solids, liquids, or gases.

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Example: This diagram shows that conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact. High-energy particles in a hotter area collide with low-energy particles, transferring energy.

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Convection Noun

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[kuhn-vek-shuhn]

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Convection

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The transfer of thermal energy in a fluid, such as a liquid or gas, by the bulk movement of molecules.

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Example: Heating a pot of water causes the warmer, less dense water at the bottom to rise, while the cooler, denser water at the top sinks, creating a circular flow called a convection current.

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Radiation Noun

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[rey-dee-ey-shuhn]

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Radiation

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The transfer of energy through space in the form of electromagnetic waves, which does not require a physical medium.

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Example: This diagram shows how the Sun transfers thermal energy to the Earth through space using electromagnetic waves, a process called radiation.

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Conductor Noun

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[kuhn-duhk-ter]

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Conductor

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A material that allows thermal energy or electric charge to flow through it easily and with minimal resistance.

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Example: This diagram shows a wire acting as an electrical conductor, allowing electrons to flow from a battery to light up a bulb.