Thermal Energy

Front

What is thermal energy?

Back

Thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of all the particles in an object, which is related to its temperature.

Front

How does temperature relate to thermal energy?

Back

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance; higher temperature means higher average kinetic energy.

Front

What happens to the kinetic energy of particles when a substance is heated?

Back

The kinetic energy of the particles increases, causing them to move faster.

Front

What is heat transfer?

Back

Heat transfer is the movement of thermal energy from a hotter object to a colder one.

Front

What are the three methods of heat transfer?

Back

The three methods of heat transfer are conduction, convection, and radiation.

Front

What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials.

Front

What is convection?

Back

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

Front

What is radiation?

Back

Radiation is the transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight.

Front

What happens to heat transfer when two objects reach the same temperature?

Back

Heat transfer stops when both objects reach thermal equilibrium, meaning they are at the same temperature.

Front

How do molecules behave at higher temperatures?

Back

Molecules at higher temperatures move faster and have more kinetic energy.