Science Study Material - Chapter 4: Thermal Energy Concepts

Thermal energy

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

Heat

The energy that is transferred from a warmer object to a cooler object.

Temperature

A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.

Transfer

When energy is moved from one place to another.

Absolute Zero

The lowest temperature possible on the Kelvin scale.

conduction

The transfer of energy from one object to another through direct contact.

convection

The type of heat transfer that occurs through the movement of fluids, which can be solid, liquid, or gas.

convection current

The circular motion created when heated air rises to float on top of the denser, cooler air.

Radiation

The transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves.

Transform (energy transformations)

To change from one kind of energy to another (ex.: an electric stove transforms electrical energy to thermal energy)

conductor

A material that conducts heat well.

Insulator

Materials that do not conduct heat well.

Specific heat

The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of a material by 1 kelvin.

Thermal expansion

the expansion of matter when it is heated

Contract

As matter cools, it decreases in volume.