Thermal Energy

What type of energy transfer happens when a person places their hands in front of the fire to warm them up?

• Convection

• Conduction

• Radiation

Answer explanation

This type of energy transfer is Radiant energy. There is no matter involved. The heat radiates to the hands.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

What type of energy transfer happens when a person use an electric blanket to get warm?

• Convection

• Conduction

• Radiation

Answer explanation

This type of energy transfer is conduction. The blanket is touching the person. Direct contact makes the energy transfer to the person.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

What type of energy transfer happens when energy is given off by the sun?

• Convection

• Conduction

• Radiation

Answer explanation

This type of energy transfer is radiation. There is no mass between the sun and the Earth that it heats. The electromagnetic waves carry the energy to Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

What type of energy transfer happens inside a greenhouse to warm up the air and allow vegetables to grow during the day?

• Convection

• Conduction

• Radiation

Answer explanation

This type of energy transfer is convection. The sun warms the greenhouse. The air inside the greenhouse warms up, becomes less dense and rises. It then cools and sinks and the cycle continues.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

What type of energy transfer happens to a boiling pot of moving water?

• Convection

• Conduction

• Radiation

Answer explanation

This type of energy transfer is convection. The water is warmed by the pan and becomes less dense as it rises. When the water molecules are at the top of the pan, they cool, become more dense and sink.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

What type of energy transfer happens when you hold an ice cube in your hand?

• Convection

• Conduction

• Radiation

Answer explanation

This type of energy transfer is conduction. Your hand send thermal energy to the ice cube to warm the ice cube. Heat flows from high to low.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

What type of energy transfer happens with warm air rising from a fireplace to the second level in a cabin?

• Convection

• Conduction

• Radiation

Answer explanation

This type of energy transfer is convection. The air is warmed by the fire. The air molecules move more quickly, spread out, become less dense and rise to the top of the cabin. The air cools at the top, molecules slow down and get close together, become more dense and sink.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

What type of energy transfer happens when you place ice on sprained ankle?

• Convection

• Conduction

• Radiation

Answer explanation

This type of energy transfer is conduction. The ice is place directly on the ankle, which is the heat source. The thermal energy moves from the body to the ice and melts the ice. The ankle feels cold because some thermal energy left to melt the ice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

What type of energy transfer happens when you place your hands near a light bulb and feel the heat?

• Convection

• Conduction

• Radiation

Answer explanation

This type of energy transfer is radiation. The light bulb's energy is radiating out. If you touched the lightbulb you would burn yourself. Matter is not required to transfer the energy from the bulb to your hand.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

What type of energy transfer happens when you cook eggs in a frying pan?

• Convection

• Conduction

• Radiation

Answer explanation

This type of energy transfer is conduction. The pan is directly touching the stove (the heat source) and heating up the pan. The eggs are directly touching the pan and cooking the eggs.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5