Heat Transfer

Heat Transfer

​

Ways that Heat Moves

Heat transfers in three different ways: conduction, convection, and radiation.

Multiple Choice

Which of these is NOT a type of heat transfer?

• conduction

• radiation

• convection

• thermometer

Conduction

Conduction is the transfer of heat between two surfaces that are directly in contact with one another. When you burn yourself on a hot pan while making scrambled eggs, that’s an example of conduction.

Multiple Choice

Conduction is the transfer of heat between objects that are _____________ each other.

• touching

• different from

• bigger than

conductors

Heat transfers through some materials better than others. Metals are especially good thermal conductors; that’s why pots and pans are made out of metal.

Multiple Choice

Which of these is a good conductor?

• metal

• styrofoam

Insulators

Materials that are very slow to transfer heat are called thermal insulators. Some examples of materials that are thermal insulators include rubber and cork. 

Insulation

The insulation in houses keeps the heat in or out.

Multiple Choice

How do you know styrofoam is a good insulator?

• it keeps my drink cold

• the ice melts

• the cold drink gets warmer.

Convection

Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of large amounts of a liquid or gas. 

Convection

Warm air tends to rise, and cool air tends to fall. The movement of these air masses and the transfer of energy that occurs are called convection.

Multiple Choice

Warm air _________

• rises

• falls

Multiple Choice

Cold air _______

• rises

• sinks

Radiation

The third way heat transfer can occur is through a process called radiation. Radiation is when there is no material transferring the heat.

Heat radiation

Another example of heat radiation is the sun. The sun's heat travels through space and then through the earth's atmosphere.

Open Ended

List two heat or thermal conductors.

Open Ended

List three thermal insulators.