Thermal Energy

thermal energy

is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy in the particles that make up a material

kinetic energy

the energy of motion

potential energy

is the energy stored in the interactions between objects or particles

temperature

the average kinetic energy of the particles that make up a material

heat

the movement of thermal energy from a warmer object to a cooler object

conduction

the transfer of thermal energy between materials because of collisions between the particles

thermal insulator

material through which thermal energy does not flow easily

convection

transfer of thermal energy by the movement of particles from one part of material to another

radiation

transfer of thermal energy from one material to another by electromagnetic waves

specific heat

amount of thermal energy it takes to increase the temperature of 1 kg of material by 1 degree Celsius

thermal conductor

material through which thermal energy flows easily

thermal contraction

decrease in a material's volume when the temperature is decreased

thermal expansion

increase in a material's volume when the temperature is increased

heat engine

machine that converts thermal energy into mechanical energy

heating appliance

device that converts electric energy to thermal energy

refrigerator

device that uses electric energy to pump thermal energy from a cooler location to a warmer location

thermostat

a device that regulates the temperature of a system