Heat can be transferred by convection and conduction7.1 This continues until the two objects are the same temperature (equal amounts of thermal energy

Conduction

The transfer of thermal energy from hot objects to cooler objects by direct contact, with no movement of material.

Convection

The transfer of thermal energy by the movement of molecules in air or liquid from one place to another.

Thermal conductor

A material that allows thermal energy to flow easily through it.

Thermal insulator

A material that prevents or slows down the transfer of thermal energy.

Convection current

The current or flow of air or liquid that results from the transfer of thermal energy through convection.

Kinetic energy

The energy possessed by particles due to their motion; higher temperature corresponds to higher kinetic energy.

Thermal energy

The total kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, relating to its temperature.

Heating by conduction

Involves the transfer of thermal energy between two objects in direct contact with each other.

Heating by convection

Involves the movement of warmer, less dense particles rising and cooler, denser particles sinking.

Expansion due to heating

The increase in size of a substance when its particles gain thermal energy and move more vigorously.

Thermal expansion

The property of matter to change its volume in response to a change in temperature.

Heat transfer

The process of thermal energy moving from a warmer object to a cooler one through conduction, convection, or radiation.

Radiation

The transfer of thermal energy through electromagnetic waves without the need for a medium.

Phase change

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

Thermal equilibrium

The state in which two objects in thermal contact reach the same temperature and no heat flows between them.

Specific heat capacity

The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius.

Latent heat

The heat energy absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change without a change in temperature.

Thermal conductivity

A measure of a material's ability to conduct heat.

Insulation

The material or method used to reduce the rate of heat transfer.

Heat capacity

The amount of heat energy needed to increase the temperature of an object by a certain amount.