Chapter 6 Energy and Thermal Processes (Kinetic Particle Model of Matter & Thermal Processes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering energy forms, transfers, states of matter, and thermal processes.

Energy

The ability to do work; exists in various stores and can be transferred or transformed.

Joule (J)

The SI unit of energy.

Conservation of energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another.

Elastic potential store

Energy stored in a stretched or compressed object; released when it returns to its original shape.

Kinetic store

Energy of motion; depends on mass and velocity.

Internal (thermal) store

Energy stored in the microscopic motion and interactions of a substance’s particles.

Nuclear store

Energy stored in atomic nuclei, released in nuclear processes.

Gravitational potential store

Energy due to an object’s height in a gravitational field (mgh).

Chemical potential store

Energy stored in chemical bonds; released or absorbed during chemical reactions.

Mechanically (transfer)

Energy transferred by mechanical means (e.g., pushing or pulling).

Heating

Transfer of energy between objects due to a temperature difference.

Electrically

Transfer of energy via electric currents or circuits.

Sound waves

Transfer of energy through a medium by vibrating particles as sound.

Radiation

Transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves; can occur through vacuum.

Light

Visible electromagnetic radiation; a form of energy transfer.

Internal energy

Sum of a system’s kinetic and potential energies (KE + PE).

Kinetic particle model of matter

Model describing matter as particles in motion; explains solids, liquids, and gases.

Solid

State with fixed volume and shape; particles closely packed and vibrate; high density and strong intermolecular forces.

Liquid

State with fixed volume but no fixed shape; particles slide past each other; moderate to high density; strong intermolecular forces.

Gas

State with no fixed volume or shape; particles far apart and move freely; highly compressible; weak intermolecular forces.

Density

Mass per unit volume; varies with state of matter.

Compressible

Ability to be compressed; gases are highly compressible; liquids/solids are relatively incompressible.

Intermolecular forces of attraction

Forces that hold particles together; stronger in solids, weaker in gases.

Fixed volume

Volume that remains constant for a given state (prominent in solids and liquids).

Fixed shape

Shape that remains constant (prominent in solids).

KE = 1/2 mv^2

Kinetic energy formula: KE equals one-half times mass times velocity squared.

GPE = mgh

Gravitational potential energy equals mass times gravity times height.

Work

Energy transferred when a force acts through a distance.

Power

Rate at which energy is transferred or converted.

Conduction

Heat transfer through a solid by particle interactions; in metals, free mobile electrons assist conduction.

Convection

Heat transfer by the movement of a fluid due to density differences, forming convection currents.

Radiation (thermal)

Heat transfer by electromagnetic waves; can occur through vacuum.

Vacuum

Space with no matter; radiation can transfer heat through it without a medium.

Emitting

Giving off radiation.

Absorbing

Taking in radiation.

Reflector

A surface that reflects radiation.

Absorber

A surface that absorbs radiation.

Emitter

A surface that emits radiation.

Surface colour

A factor affecting rate of radiation transfer; darker surfaces tend to absorb more heat.

Surface texture

Rough vs smooth surfaces affect absorption and emission of radiation.

Surface temperature

Temperature of a surface, influencing rate of radiation.

Rate of radiation transfer

How quickly energy is emitted, absorbed, or reflected as radiation.

Free mobile electrons

Electrons in metals that move easily and aid conduction.

Convection current

Circulation pattern in a fluid caused by density differences, transferring heat.

Three factors affecting rate of radiation transfer

Surface colour, surface texture, and surface temperature.