Thermal Energy Transfer Concepts

Flashcards covering key concepts related to thermal energy transfer in physical science.

U-value

The amount of heat energy conducted per second through 1 m² of a structure when a temperature difference of 1°C is maintained between its ends.

Radiation

The transfer of heat energy from one place to another in the form of electromagnetic waves.

Solar Constant

The average amount of the Sun's energy falling per second perpendicularly on 1 metre squared of the Earth's atmosphere, approximately 1.35 kW/m².

Convection

The transfer of heat through a fluid by means of circulating currents of fluid caused by heat.

Heat capacity

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius.

Specific heat capacity

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

Latent heat

The amount of heat absorbed or released during a phase change without changing the temperature.

Specific latent heat

The amount of heat required to change the phase of one kilogram of a substance without changing its temperature.

Specific latent heat of fusion

The amount of heat required to change one kilogram of a solid into a liquid at its melting point.

Specific latent heat of vaporization

The amount of heat required to change one kilogram of a liquid into a gas at its boiling point.

Conduction

The transfer of heat through a material without the movement of the material itself.