Thermal Energy

Front

What is thermal energy?

Back

Thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, which is related to its temperature.

Front

What happens to the energy of water molecules when lava enters a river?

Back

The energy of the water molecules increases.

Front

What occurs to the molecules in a body when it enters a hot jacuzzi?

Back

The energy of the molecules in their bodies has increased.

Front

What is the relationship between temperature and kinetic energy?

Back

As temperature increases, the kinetic energy of the molecules also increases.

Front

What happens to the gold when it enters a furnace?

Back

The furnace transfers its kinetic energy to the gold until both reach more or less the same temperature.

Front

How do the speeds of molecules in hot coffee compare to those in ice cream?

Back

The molecules in the coffee are moving faster than the molecules in the ice cream.

Front

What happens to the temperatures of two connected rooms when a door is opened?

Back

The downstairs room will transfer kinetic energy to the upstairs room until both reach approximately the same temperature.

Front

What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through direct contact between materials.

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the transfer of thermal energy through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases).

Front

What is radiation?

Back

Radiation is the transfer of thermal energy through electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight.