Thermal Energy

Front

What is thermal energy?

Back

Thermal energy is the total energy of all the particles in an object due to their motion and position. It is related to temperature and heat.

Front

What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials. It occurs when faster-moving particles collide with slower-moving ones.

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases). It occurs when warmer, less dense areas of a fluid rise and cooler, denser areas sink.

Front

What is radiation?

Back

Radiation is the transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as light. It does not require a medium to travel through.

Front

How does heat transfer in wind?

Back

Heat transfer in wind occurs primarily through convection.

Front

What happens to heat when a warm object touches a cold object?

Back

Heat moves from the warm object to the cold object until they reach thermal equilibrium.

Front

What is thermal equilibrium?

Back

Thermal equilibrium is the state in which two objects in contact with each other reach the same temperature and no heat flows between them.

Front

What happens to thermal energy when ice melts?

Back

When ice melts, thermal energy is absorbed, causing the molecules to move faster and change from solid to liquid.

Front

What happens to the distance between molecules during boiling?

Back

During boiling, the average distance between molecules increases as the liquid changes to gas.

Front

What is the effect of temperature on molecular motion?

Back

As temperature increases, molecular motion increases, leading to higher thermal energy.