Thermal Energy
What is thermal energy?
Thermal energy is the energy that comes from the temperature of matter. It is a measure of the total kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.
What materials are considered insulators?
An example of an insulator is wood, which prevents or slows down heat flow
How does heat travel?
Heat travels from a hotter object to a cooler one until thermal equilibrium is reached.
Name the process of changing from liquid to gas.
The process of changing from liquid to gas is called vaporization.
What is the thermal conductivity of silver?
The thermal conductivity of silver is 406 W/m·K.
How does temperature relate to thermal energy?
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. Higher temperatures indicate more kinetic energy and therefore more thermal energy.
Name two uses of conductors in daily life.
A conductor is a material that allows heat to flow through it easily, such as metals like copper and aluminum.
What is the main way heat moves through liquids?
The main way heat moves through liquids is by convection currents.
What is solidification?
Solidification is the process of changing from a liquid to a solid when thermal energy is lost.
What is the thermal conductivity of wool?
The thermal conductivity of wool is approximately 0.040 W/m·K.
Describe kinetic energy.
Kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. For example, as a ball rolls down a hill, its kinetic energy increases.
Why do metals feel colder than wood?
Metals feel colder than wood because they conduct heat away from your body more quickly than wood does.
What is radiation?
Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, which can occur through empty space.
What happens during condensation?
During condensation, a gas turns into a liquid as it loses thermal energy.
What does a high thermal conductivity value indicate?
A high thermal conductivity value indicates that the material transfers heat quickly.
How do particles move in a hot object?
In a hot object, particles move faster and have more energy compared to those in a cooler object.
Give an example of an insulator.
An example of an insulator is wood, which prevents or slows down heat flow.
What is convection?
Convection is the transfer of heat by the movement of fluids (liquids or gases).
What is melting?
Melting is the process of changing from a solid to a liquid when thermal energy is gained.
Name a metal with high thermal conductivity.
What happens when thermal energy is gained?
When thermal energy is gained, the temperature of the substance increases, which may lead to phase changes like melting or vaporization
What is a conductor?
A conductor is a material that allows heat to flow through it easily, such as metals like copper and aluminum.
What is conduction?
Conduction is the transfer of heat between substances that are in direct contact with each other.
What are the states of matter?
The states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas.
What unit measures thermal conductivity?
The unit that measures thermal conductivity is Watts per meter-Kelvin (W/m·K).