Thermal Energy Transfer Overview

The state where two or more objects in contact with each other have the same temperature.

The movement of thermal energy from a warmer object to a cooler object until both objects reach the same temperature.

The temperature at which two objects in contact reach thermal equilibrium.

The movement of thermal energy from a higher temperature object to a lower temperature object.

The transfer of heat through direct contact between objects.

The transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases).

The transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves.

The total kinetic energy of all the particles in an object.

Energy from the sun is transferred to Earth mainly by radiation.

Darker-colored objects absorb more visible light energy than lighter or reflective objects

The direct transfer of heat from one object to another touching object

The transfer of heat by the movement of warm air or liquids.

The movement of thermal energy from a hotter object to a colder object. This happens until both objects reach the same temperature, or thermal equilibrium.

The container with the greatest difference in temperature to its surroundings will exchange the most heat energy. Heat always flows from warmer to cooler objects.

The cooler object will experience an increase in heat energy during heat transfer. This is because the warmer object transfers its thermal energy to the cooler object.

Water boils when it absorbs enough heat energy to change its state from liquid to gas. The heat source provides the energy needed for the water molecules to move faster and break free from their liquid state.

The average kinetic energy of particles in a substance is directly proportional to its temperature. Higher temperature means faster-moving particles, and thus higher average kinetic energy.

Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between objects of different temperatures. Heat energy flows from the warmer object to the cooler object.

Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases). Warmer, less dense fluids rise, while cooler, denser fluids sink, creating a cycle of heat transfer.

Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves. These waves can travel through a vacuum, meaning they don't require a medium to transfer heat.

Hot water molecules have higher kinetic energy, causing them to move more rapidly and collide with the honey molecules more frequently. This increased collisions leads to faster dissolution of the honey.

Microwave ovens heat food by causing water molecules within the food to absorb the energy from microwave radiation. This absorption causes the water molecules to vibrate rapidly, generating heat.

When a hot object is added to a cooler object, heat energy flows from the hotter object to the cooler object until they reach thermal equilibrium, meaning both objects have the same temperature.

When a heated object transfers heat to a cooler object, the hot object loses heat energy and its temperature decreases, while the cooler object gains heat energy and its temperature increases.

The process of heat moving through the metal spoon, causing it to heat up.

The metal handle of a pot becomes hot due to heat moving from the pot to the handle through direct contact.

Sand absorbs the sun's energy during the day, causing it to heat up, and releases that energy at night, making it cooler.

The swirling of rice in boiling water is caused by convection currents, where hot water rises and cooler water sinks, carrying the rice along.

The metal wire heats up because heat from the fire transfers to the wire through direct contact, a process called conduction.

Thermal energy flows from the warmer block to the cooler block until they reach the same temperature.

Thermal energy will flow from the hottest cube to the coolest cube, and from the warmer cube to the cooler cube.

Thermal energy always flows from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature.

The process of a wet shirt drying involves water molecules gaining heat energy and transitioning from a liquid state to a gaseous state, known as evaporation.

When a hot steel block is placed on a cooler copper block, the thermal energy of the copper increases due to the flow of heat by conduction. This means the heat energy directly travels from the hot steel to the cooler copper.

When cold water is mixed with hot water, the temperature of the mixture will eventually become uniform throughout the container. This happens because heat energy flows from the hotter water to the colder water until they reach the same temperature.

As water molecules in a pool absorb energy, they gain kinetic energy, causing them to move faster and collide more frequently. This increased movement also means they occupy more space.

A lit Franklin stove increases the speed of air molecules in a room due to the heat it releases. This means the thermal energy of the air molecules increases, which is why they move faster.

The heat transfer from a Franklin stove to a ceramic cup is through conduction. This means the heat energy flows directly from the hot stove to the cooler cup because they are in contact.

Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact. An example of conduction is a metal spoon heating up when placed in a hot cup of tea.

Burning a candle exhibits conduction because heat travels from the flame to the wax through direct contact. As the wax melts, it absorbs the heat energy from the flame.