Physical Science Topic 4 Review Vocabulary

Thermal energy

The total potential and kinetic energy of the particles in an object.

heat

The transfer of thermal energy from a warmer object to a cooler object.

conduction

The transfer of thermal energy from one particle of matter to another

conduction

the transfer of thermal energy from one particle of matter to another

convection

the transfer of thermal energy from one particle of matter to another

convection current

the movement of a fluid, caused by differences in temperature, that transfers heat from one part of the fluid to another

radiation

The transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves

conductor

a material that conducts heat well; a material that allows electric charges to flow

insulator

A material that does not conduct heat well

specific heat

the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of a material by 1 kelvin, which is equivalent to 1C

thermal expansion

the expansion of matter when it is heated