Energy Transfer Methods

Study Notes

Occurs when there is a temperature difference between two systems or objects
Three methods of heat transfer:
1. Conduction: direct transfer of energy between particles in physical contact
2. Convection: transfer of energy through the movement of fluids
3. Radiation: transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves (e.g. light, radio waves)

Process of changing energy from one form to another
Examples:
- Chemical energy (food) → Kinetic energy (movement)
- Electrical energy → Light and heat (light bulb)
- Mechanical energy → Thermal energy (friction)

Sum of kinetic energy and potential energy
Types:
- Kinetic energy: energy of motion (e.g. moving car, rolling ball)
- Potential energy: stored energy (e.g. stretched rubber band, water at top of dam)

Energy of the motion of particles in a substance
Measures the total kinetic energy of particles in a substance
Increases with temperature
Examples:
- Hot water has more thermal energy than cold water
- Metal at high temperature has more thermal energy than metal at low temperature

Heat transfer occurs when there is a temperature difference between two systems or objects
There are three methods of heat transfer:
- Conduction: direct transfer of energy between particles in physical contact
- Convection: transfer of energy through the movement of fluids
- Radiation: transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves (e.g. light, radio waves)

Energy conversion is the process of changing energy from one form to another
Examples of energy conversion include:
- Chemical energy (food) → Kinetic energy (movement)
- Electrical energy → Light and heat (light bulb)
- Mechanical energy → Thermal energy (friction)

Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy
Types of mechanical energy include:
- Kinetic energy: energy of motion (e.g. moving car, rolling ball)
- Potential energy: stored energy (e.g. stretched rubber band, water at top of dam)

Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that travels through electromagnetic waves
Types of electromagnetic radiation include:
- Gamma rays: high-energy, short-wavelength radiation
- X-rays: high-energy, short-wavelength radiation
- Ultraviolet (UV) light: medium-energy, medium-wavelength radiation
- Visible light: medium-energy, medium-wavelength radiation
- Infrared (IR) light: low-energy, long-wavelength radiation
- Radio waves: low-energy, long-wavelength radiation

Thermal energy is the energy of the motion of particles in a substance
Thermal energy measures the total kinetic energy of particles in a substance
Thermal energy increases with temperature
Examples of thermal energy include:
- Hot water has more thermal energy than cold water
- Metal at high temperature has more thermal energy than metal at low temperature