Thermal Energy
This measurement tells us how hot or cold an object is.
What is temperature?
The transfer of thermal energy through direct contact between particles is called this.
What is conduction?
The movement of air from an area of higher pressure toward an area of lower pressure is called this.
What is wind?
The process in which liquid water changes into water vapor is called this.
What is evaporation?
A student places a cold metal spoon into a cup of hot water. Thermal energy moves from which object to which object?
From the hot water to the colder spoon.
This is the total energy associated with the motion of particles in matter.
What is thermal energy?
The transfer of thermal energy through the movement of a fluid, such as air or water, is called this.
What is convection?
These winds affect relatively small areas and are caused by differences in heating and air pressure.
What are local winds?
The process in which water vapor cools and changes into tiny liquid water droplets is called this.
What is condensation?
Warm air rises while cooler air sinks. What type of heat transfer is occurring?
Convection.
When thermal energy is added to most substances, the particles generally move this way.
What is faster?
This type of energy transfer allows energy from the Sun to travel through space and reach Earth.
What is radiation?
These are large-scale patterns of moving air that occur across much of Earth.
What are global winds?
Rain, snow, sleet, and hail are all examples of this stage of the water cycle.
What is precipitation?
Water vapor cools high in the atmosphere and forms tiny droplets that make clouds. What process is occurring?
Condensation.
Thermal energy naturally moves from an object with a ______ temperature to an object with a ______ temperature.
What are higher; lower?
A metal pan becomes hot while sitting on a hot stove. Explain which type of heat transfer occurs between the stove and pan and why.
Conduction, because the stove and pan are in direct contact, allowing thermal energy to transfer between them.
Name two factors that contribute to Earth's global wind patterns.
Uneven heating of Earth's surface and Earth's rotation.
Explain how energy from the Sun helps drive the water cycle.
The Sun provides energy that heats water, causing evaporation. This water vapor rises, cools, and can eventually condense and fall as precipitation.
A puddle disappears after sitting in the sunlight. Later, clouds form and rain falls. Identify the water-cycle processes involved.
Evaporation → condensation → precipitation.