Chapter 5-6 Energy and Thermal Energy Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, temperature conversion equations, and energy transformations from Chapters 5 and 6.

Renewable energy

An energy resource that is replaced as fast as, or faster than, it is used.

Nonrenewable energy

An energy resource that is available in limited amounts or that is used faster than it is replaced in nature.

High specific heat

A property of an object where the higher the specific heat, the more energy it takes to change the temperature of that object.

Environmental impact of carbon dioxide and methane

The environmental effect caused by carbon dioxide and methane, which leads to global warming.

Nuclear energy (in a nuclear power plant)

Energy contained in radioactive nuclei that transforms into thermal energy when the nuclei are broken apart.

Thermal energy (in a nuclear power plant)

Energy derived from breaking apart radioactive nuclei, which heats water to produce steam and transform into mechanical energy.

Mechanical energy (in a nuclear power plant)

Energy produced when steam spins a turbine, which then turns a generator to transform into electrical energy.

Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion equation

The equation ${}^\circ\text{C} = \frac{{}^\circ\text{F} - 32}{1.8}$, where the subtraction in parentheses is completed first before dividing by $1.8$.

Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion equation

The equation ${}^\circ\text{F} = ({}^\circ\text{C} \times 1.8) + 32$, used to convert a temperature reading from Celsius to Fahrenheit.

Temperature scale conversion steps

The procedure to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius: perform the operation in parentheses first ($176 - 32 = 144$), then divide the result by $1.8$ ($\frac{144}{1.8} = 80\,^\circ\text{C}$).