Joule
thermal energy that flows from a warmer material to a cooler material
heat
energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can be changed from one form to another only
1st Law of Thermodynamics
transfer of thermal energy by collisions between particles in matter at a higher temperature and particles in matter at a lower temperature
conduction
dependent variable
stored energy an object has due to its position
potential energy
measure of the average kinetic energy of all the particles in an object
temperature
material in which electrons are not able to move easily
insulator
amount of work done, or the amount of energy transferred, divided by the time required to do the work or transfer the energy; measured in watts (W)
power
in an experiment, a variable that does not change when other variables change
constant
energy stored when an object is compressed or stretched
elastic potential energy
amount of thermal energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a material 1 degree Celsius
specific heat
2nd law of thermodynamics
transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic waves
radiation
explanation of things or events that is based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations
theory
energy stored by objects due to their position above Earth's surface; depends on the distance above Earth's surface and the object's mass
gravitational potential energy
study of the relationship between thermal energy, heat and work
thermodynamics
device that converts thermal energy into work
heat engine
transfer of energy that occurs when a force makes an object move
statement about what happens in nature that seems to be true all the time; does not explain why or how something happens
scientific law
states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but converted from one form to another
law of conservation of energy
sum of the kinetic and potential energy of all the particles; is transferred by conduction, convection and radiation
thermal energy
device used in an active solar heating system that absorbs radiant energy from the Sun
solar collector
transfer of thermal energy in a fluid by the movement of warmer and cooler fluid from one place to another
convection
standard used for comparison of test results in an experiment
control