Thermal expansion Flashcards
1
Q
What is thermal expansion
A
When an object expands and becomes larger due to a change in its temperature
2
Q
What is heat energy
A
The total energy of all the particles in a substance combined
3
Q
What is temperature
A
The measure of the average energy of a particle or how fast one moves
4
Q
Why do substances expand when a solid is heated
A
The solid’s particles vibrate more meaning they need more space and spread out
5
Q
What is thermal contraction
A
When a substance is cooled, the particles vibrate less meaning they need less room so the substance contracts
