8 - Unit 2, Section 1 - Day 1

Thermal Energy

Unit 2, Section 1

Open Ended

You can't use "hot," "cold," or any of their synonyms. In your own words, define the word "heat".

• Heat – the transfer of energy from one object to another due to a difference in temperature

• Temperature – A measure of the average kinetic energy of a group of atoms or molecules

  • If a group of atoms is moving more quickly, it has a higher temperature

  • It can also transfer more heat

Heat, AKA Thermal Energy

Heat moves through matter in three ways:

• Conduction

• Convection

• Radiation

How Does Heat Move?

• Conduction - The transfer of energy by collisions between the atoms in a material

• Conduction requires physical contact to transfer heat
  

Conduction

• Convection - The transfer of energy as particles move through objects or areas of different temperature

  • Warm water/air rises

  • Cool water/air sinks

Convection

• Radiation - the transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic waves

• When radiation strikes an object, its energy can be transferred to the object and converted to heat

Radiation