Physical Science Assessment- Thermal Energy Flashcards
Temperature
the measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in an object
Thermal Energy
the total (sum of) the kinetic energy of all the particles that make up an object
Law of Conservation of Energy
law that states that energy is neither created nor destroyed
Law of Conservation of Mass
law that states that mass is neither created nor destroyed (in ordinary changes)
Heat
the transfer of energy from substances with a higher average KE (higher temperature) to substances with a lower KE (lower temperature)
Thermal Equilibrium
the point at which two objects reach the same temperature
Conduction (and an example)
the transfer of thermal energy through direct contact (think solids), may also occur within a substance
touching a hot pan (heat from the pan transferred to your skin since the metal pan is a good conductor)
Convection (and an example)
heat transfer of thermal energy by movement of a liquid or gas
boiling water (when heating water the bottom of the water gets less dense and goes up, while denser water sinks to the bottom)
Radiation (and an example)
the transfer of energy through matter or space as electromagnetic waves, such as visible light or infrared waves
heat from a campfire (fire radiates heat by waves that travel through the air without direct contact)
Conductor
substances that conduct thermal energy well; allow energy to transfer rapidly
Insulator (and an example)
substances that do not conduct thermal energy well; allow energy to transfer slowly
styrofoam cups because they are bad heat conductors which reduce heat transfer between liquid and gas
Evaporative cooling
molecules evaporate and thereby decrease the overall temperature of the liquid because the average kinetic energy drops
