Temperature and Internal Energy

Vocabulary terms and definitions regarding temperature, internal energy, heat transfer, and evaporation based on the lecture notes.

Temperature

A measure of how hot or cold an object is, usually measured in degrees Celsius ($^\text{o}C$).

Thermometer

The equipment used to measure the temperature of an object or substance.

Internal Energy

Also known as thermal energy, this is the energy stored in the movement of particles and is measured in Joules ($J$).

Factors of Internal Energy

The three variables that determine the amount of energy stored: temperature, the material the object is made from, and its mass.

Heat Transfer

The process by which energy moves from a hotter object to a cooler one until they are the same temperature.

Rate of Energy Transfer

This increases as the temperature difference between the hot and cold objects becomes larger.

Evaporation

A way of transferring energy where fast-moving particles escape a liquid to form a gas.

Temperature of Evaporation

The condition where evaporation occurs at any temperature, though it is fastest at the liquid's boiling point.

Cooling Effect of Evaporation

Because the fastest particles escape, the particles left behind store less energy and are at a lower temperature.

Sweat Cooling Model

An experimental setup using a bottle of warm water wrapped in a wet paper towel to simulate how sweat helps a body cool down.

Lab Safety Rules

Protocol including never running, always wearing safety goggles, keeping bags and coats away from chairs, and reporting spills immediately.