Thermal Energy Review Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering thermal energy concepts, heat transfer methods, and thermodynamic formulas based on the lecture notes.

Conduction

Heat transfer that occurs by touching.

Convection

Heat transfer that occurs in rotating/circulating liquids or gases.

Radiation

Heat transfer through space, such as the sun hitting the earth.

Direction of heat transfer

Heat will transfer from a hot substance to a cold substance.

Thermal Equilibrium

The state where both substances have reached the same temperature and heat transfer stops.

Specific Heat (C)

The property used to calculate thermal energy in the formula $Q = mC\triangle T$; a higher value means more energy is required to change the temperature.

Temperature

The measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.

Conductor

A material (like a tile floor) that feels colder because it allows heat to transfer easily from the body to the material.

Insulator

A material used to increase energy efficiency by preventing heat loss to surroundings or heat entry from outside.

Phase Change

Occurs when heat is added or removed ($Q = mL$) and potential energy changes, but temperature and kinetic energy remain constant.

Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE)

Energy based on height and mass, calculated as $GPE = mgh$.

Kinetic Energy (KE)

The energy of motion, calculated as $KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2$.

Phase Change molecular level (conduction)

Molecular collisions that result in the transfer of kinetic energy between substances.

Thermal Energy Units

Commonly reported in Joules ($J$) or Calories (often used to measure food energy).

Newton’s Law of Cooling

Suggests that the rate of cooling is proportional to the temperature difference; a cup of boiling water will cool at a greater rate than a cup of 50^\text{}C water in a 21^\text{}C room.

Latent Heat formula

The equation $Q = mL$ used to determine heat added or removed during phase changes like melting, freezing, boiling, or condensation.