Conduction, Convection, and Radiation – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms and definitions from notes on thermal energy and the three modes of heat transfer.

Thermal energy

The energy in a substance due to the motion and interactions of its particles; heat is a form of thermal energy.

Source

The origin that generates heat or energy.

Heat transferred

The process of moving thermal energy from one object to another.

Kinetic energy

Energy of motion; a type of energy associated with moving particles, related to thermal energy.

Chemical energy

Energy stored in chemical bonds, which can be released as heat.

Conduction

The transfer of heat or electricity through solids; metals are especially good conductors.

Convection

The transfer of heat through a fluid (gas or liquid) due to density differences; hot fluid rises, cold fluid sinks.

Radiation

Energy transmitted in waves or particles; travels through space and other matter.

Solids

A state of matter with fixed shape and volume; often involved in conduction.

Metals

A class of solid materials that are good conductors of heat and electricity.

Fluid

Any substance that flows, including liquids and gases; involved in convection.

Density

Mass per unit volume; differences in density drive convection (hot is less dense and rises, cold is denser and sinks).

Space

The vacuum through which radiant energy can travel.

Waves

Disturbances that carry energy, characteristic of radiant energy.

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space; radiation can travel through matter.