Thermal Energy Flow

Thermal Energy Flow

Multiple Select

Which of the following are ways that thrmal energy can be transferred? Choose all that apply.

• conduction

• radiation

• collision

• convection

REMEMBER...

• Conduction = particles collide

• Convection = energy transfers through fluid motion

• Radiation = energy travels through electromagnetic waves

Nuclear Cooling Pool

• Nuclear reactors produce thermal energy in "fuel rods"

• Fuel rods remain hot after use - they get stored in pools of cool water

• Thermal energy flows FROM rods TO water, and the water warms up

Multiple Choice

How would the temperatures of the components change if new hot rods were placed in the pool AFTER a steady temperature was reached?

• The temp. of the water and the old fuel rods would decrease.

• The temp. of the water and the old fuel rods would increase.

• The water temp. would decrease, but the temp. of the old fuel rods would not change.

• The water temp. would increase, but the temp. of the old fuel rods would not change.

Ambient Temperature

• ambient temp = the temp of an object's surroundings

• When there is no input or output of energy, the object will eventually reach ambient temperature

• EX: a house

Multiple Choice

A window of a building is wide open. The temperature indoors is 23 degrees C, and the temperature outside is 15 degrees C. In which direction will thermal energy flow?

• From indoor to outdoor through the window

• From outdoor to indoor through the window

• Thermal energy will not flow.