Thermodynamics

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Thermodynamics Noun

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[thur-moh-dy-nam-iks]

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Thermodynamics

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The branch of physics dealing with heat, work, and temperature, and their relation to energy and matter's physical properties.

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Example: This diagram shows that heat energy naturally flows from a hotter object to a colder object, a fundamental principle of thermodynamics.

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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 a system's particles possess due to their motion.

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Example: A soccer ball gains kinetic energy, the energy of motion, after being kicked, transforming stored potential energy from the player's leg into movement.

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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 atoms or molecules in a substance.

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Example: This image shows how a thermometer measures temperature by comparing a high temperature (hot water) with a low temperature (ice).

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Internal Energy Noun

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[in-tur-nl en-er-jee]

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Internal Energy

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The total kinetic and potential energy associated with the random, disordered motion of molecules within a system.

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Example: Heating water increases its internal energy, causing its particles to move faster, raising the temperature from ice (0°C) to boiling (100°C).

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Absolute Zero Noun

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[ab-suh-loot zee-roh]

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Absolute Zero

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The lowest possible temperature, defined as 0 Kelvin, at which all molecular motion ceases.

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Example: This diagram shows Absolute Zero (0 K) as the lowest possible temperature and compares it to the familiar Celsius (-273°C) and Fahrenheit (-459°F) scales.

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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 energy a substance possesses due to the movement of its particles; a component of internal energy.

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Example: Adding thermal energy to a substance, like water on a heater, makes its internal particles move faster and spread apart.

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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 between objects due to a temperature difference, always flowing from a hotter to a colder body.

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Example: This diagram shows the three ways heat energy moves: conduction through the pot handle, convection in the boiling water, and radiation from the burner.

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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 there is no net flow of thermal energy between two objects in thermal contact, having reached the same temperature.

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

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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 heat through a substance by direct contact of particles, with no overall transfer of matter.

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Example: Heat transfers from the warm ground to the cooler air directly touching it, which is an example of conduction.

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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 heat by the mass movement of particles within a fluid, such as a liquid or gas.

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Example: During the day, land heats up faster than the sea, causing warm air to rise and cooler sea air to move in, creating a convection current.