Thermal Energy Vocab

The total kinetic (motion) energy of tiny particles that make up matter. The faster the particles move, the warmer the matter becomes.

• Kinetic Energy

• Thermal Energy

• Work

• Mechanical Energy

Transfer of thermal energy that occurs in solids, liquids, and gases when two substances of different temperatures touch.

• Convection

• Condensation

• Conduction

• Radiation

Heat transfer caused by the rising of hotter, less dense fluids and the falling of cooler, more dense fluids.

• Conduction

• Radiation

• Condensation

• Convection

The transfer of energy by the movement of electromagnetic waves or subatomic particles.

• Convection

• Conduction

• Radiation

• Condensation

Energy transferred between two objects of different temperatures; energy will continue to move in a predictable pattern from warmer site to cooler site until all sites have reached the same temperature.

• Convection

• Heat

• Radiation

• Total Energy

A circular movement of fluids caused by the rising of hotter, less dense fluid and the falling of cooler, more dense fluid

• Convection Current

• Convection

• Heat

• Condensation

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; energy just changes form.

• Wildlife Conservation Act of 1950

• Law of Conservation of Energy

• Total Energy

• Multinational Species Conservation Act

Average kinetic energy of all the particles in a material; measured by a thermometer in degrees (usually Celsius or Fahrenheit).

• Heat

• Mechanical Energy

• Temperature

• Joule

The change of energy from one form to another.

• Energy Transformations

• Energy Switch

• Conductor

• Insulator

A substance that readily transfers heat or electrical energy

• Metal

• Metalloid

• Conductor

• Insulator