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 is the difference between heat and temperature?

Back

Heat is the transfer of thermal energy between substances, while temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the transfer of thermal energy through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases) caused by differences in temperature.

Front

What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through direct contact between materials, where heat moves from the hotter object to the cooler one.

Front

What is radiation?

Back

Radiation is the transfer of thermal energy through electromagnetic waves, such as heat from the sun.

Front

How does increasing thermal energy affect particle motion?

Back

Increasing thermal energy causes the motion of the particles to speed up.

Front

What happens to particles in a solid?

Back

In a solid, particles are closely packed together and vibrate in place.

Front

What happens to particles in a liquid?

Back

In a liquid, particles are close together but can move around each other.

Front

What happens to particles in a gas?

Back

In a gas, particles move very fast and are far apart from each other.

Front

What is the principle of energy transformation in a car?

Back

Chemical energy from gasoline is transformed into mechanical energy in the engine, which is then transformed into kinetic energy of the moving car.