Temperature and Heat

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts from the 'Temperature and Heat' chapter to aid in exam preparation.

Temperature

A measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules of a substance.

Thermometer

An instrument that utilizes the physical properties of materials to accurately determine temperature.

Thermal Expansion

The physical property most commonly used to measure temperature, indicating that materials expand or contract with temperature changes.

Latent Heat

The heat associated with a phase change, necessary to break molecular bonds rather than increase kinetic energy.

Specific Heat

The amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by 1°C.

Conduction

The transfer of heat by molecular collisions within materials.

Convection

The transfer of heat by the movement of a substance or mass from one position to another.

Radiation

The process of transferring energy through electromagnetic waves.

Absolute Zero

The theoretical temperature at which all molecular motion ceases, defined as 0 Kelvin.

Calorie

The amount of heat necessary to raise one gram of pure water by one degree Celsius at normal atmospheric pressure.

Bimetallic Strip

A device used in thermostats that consists of two different metals bonded together, which expand at different rates.

Heat Transfer

Energy transfer that occurs due to a temperature difference, which can happen through conduction, convection, or radiation.

Boiling Point

The temperature at which a liquid turns into vapor; for water, it is 100°C at normal atmospheric pressure.

Melting Point

The temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid; for ice, it is 0°C.

Pressure Cooker

A kitchen appliance that uses high pressure to increase the boiling point of water, allowing for faster cooking.

Evaporation

The process where liquid turns into gas, requiring heat energy, which results in cooling.

Thermal Insulator

A material that does not conduct heat well, often used to prevent heat loss.

Phase Change

The transition of matter from one state (solid, liquid, gas) to another due to temperature or pressure changes.

Entropy

A measure of the degree of disorder in a system, indicating the direction of thermodynamic processes.