Thermal Energy Vocabulary

The measure of the average kinetic energy

• temperature

• heat

• specific heat

Is the sum of the kinetic energy and potential energy of all of the particles that make up an object.

• temperature

• thermal energy

• heat

The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1kg of that material by 1 degree Celsius

• specific heat

• thermal heat

• heat

The transfer of thermal energy by collisions between the particles that make up matter.

• conduction

• specific heat

• convection

Is the transfer of thermal energy in a fluid by the movements of warmer and cooler fluid.

• conduction

• radiation

• convection

Is the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves, such as light and microwaves.

• radiation

• convection

• conduction

Material through which thermal energy moves slowly.

• thermal insulator

• radiation

• specific heat

A device that transforms radiant energy from the Sun into thermal energy.

• specific heat

• solar collector

• thermal

Is the study of the relationships between thermal energy, heat and work.

• thermodynamics

• thermal

• specific heat

States that the mechanical energy of a system is constant

• 1st law of thermodynamics

• 2nd law of thermodynamics