Heat Transfer, Phases of Matter, and Phase Changes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the types of heat transfer, the three states of matter, and phase changes from the study guide.

Heat Transfer

The process when heat goes from one object to another.

Thermal Energy

The form of energy also known as heat.

Heat

The transfer of thermal energy from one object to another.

Conduction

The transfer of heat when two objects touch each other, such as heat traveling through a metal rod placed in a flame.

Convection

The type of heat transfer in fluids (liquids or gases) where heated particles move upward and cooler particles move downward in circulation.

Radiation

The transfer of heat that travels through empty space or air via electromagnetic waves without objects touching.

Solid

A state of matter that has a definite shape and volume, with atoms packed closely together so that its shape does not change based on its container.

Liquid

A state of matter that has a definite volume and can flow because its atoms can move around a little bit, taking the shape of its container.

Gas

A state of matter with no definite shape, where atoms are spread very far apart and move very fast.

Phase Change

A transition of matter from one state (solid, liquid, or gas) to another.

Melting

The phase change where a solid turns into a liquid.

Freezing

The phase change where a liquid turns into a solid.

Evaporation

The phase change where a liquid is heated and turns into a gas.

Condensation

The phase change where a gas cools down and turns into a liquid.

Sublimation

The phase change where a solid changes directly into a gas without becoming a liquid, such as dry ice turning directly into gas.

Deposition

The phase change that occurs when a gas cools down so fast that it turns directly into a solid.

Celsius

The temperature scale where water freezes at $0^\circ\text{C}$ and boils at $100^\circ\text{C}$.

Pot on Stove Heat Transfer Diagram

A diagram illustrating three heat transfer mechanisms: label a indicates radiation (electromagnetic waves radiating from the flame), label b indicates convection (circulation currents in the fluid), and label c indicates conduction (direct heat transfer along the pot handle).