Lesson 1 Summary - Thermal Energy, Temperature, and Heat

Atoms

Very tiny particles that make up all substances (solids, liquids, and gases) and are constantly moving.

Kinetic Energy

Energy possessed by particles due to their motion; the faster particles move, the more kinetic energy they have.

Potential Energy

Energy stored in the interactions between atoms; greater when atoms are further apart.

Thermal Energy

Sum of the kinetic and potential energy of atoms in a substance.

Temperature

Average kinetic energy of atoms in a substance; higher kinetic energy leads to higher temperature.

Absolute Zero

Lowest possible temperature at 0 Kelvin where atoms have no kinetic energy.

Heat

Movement of thermal energy from a warmer object to a cooler object.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Heat naturally flows from a hotter object to a colder one.

Newton’s Law of Cooling

Heat transfer is faster between objects with a significant temperature difference.

Equilibrium

State where heat transfer stops between objects when they reach the same temperature.