1. Chapter 6: Thermal Energy

2. Section 1: Temperature and Heat
What is Temperature and how is it related to heat?
In all materials: solids, liquids and gases particles are in constant motion

3. Temperature
-of an object is related to the average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecule
the faster the particles move, the more kinetic energy they have, the higher temp of the object
Ex: cup of hot tea and glass of ice tea

4. Thermal Energy
The sum of all kinetic and potential energy of all the molecules in an object is its thermal energy
When the TEMP of an object increases, avg. kinetic energy increases
SO: thermal energy also increases (sum of kinetic and potential energy)

5. Similarly, if the mass of an object increases, the thermal energy of the the object also increases
Ex: beakers w/different water levels

6. Heat
-is thermal energy that flows from something at a higher temp to something at a lower temp
Heat is a form of energy, so it is measured in Joules
Heat ALWAYS flows from warmer to cooler materials
Ex: homemade ice cream

7. Specific Heat
Definition:-the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of some material by 1 degree C or 1 degree Kelvin
Measured in J/kg (joules per kilogram Kelvin)

8. Water and Specific Heat
Water is useful as a coolant since it has a higher specific heat than other substances
It can absorb heat w/out a large change in temperature (ex: lakes)
Ex: cooling system in cars
Change in thermal energy = mass X change in temp X specific heat

9. To measure specific heat, a CALORIMETER can be used—see pg. 163

10. Section 2: Transferring Thermal Energy
Conduction: the transfer of thermal energy through matter by the direct contact of particles (mostly through solids)
Occurs because all matter is made of atoms and molecules that are in constant motion
Transfer by collision grabbing a handful of snow

11. Heat can be transferred by conduction from one material to another or through one material
Good Heat conductors: silver, copper and aluminum
Poor Heat conductors: wood, plastic, glass and fiberglass

12. Convection: the transfer of energy in a fluid by the movement of heated particles
(in conduction particles collide w/ea other and transfer energy)
In Convection: more energetic fluid particles move from one location to another and carry their energy with them

13. Convection transfers heat from warmer to cooler parts of the fluid
As a result, particles move faster, fluids expand and density increases
Ex: Lava Lamp—pg. 165

14. Radiation: the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves (through air)
These waves can travel through space, even when no matter is present
Radiant energy: energy that is transferred by radiation
ex: when you stand near a fire and feel warm

15. When radiation strikes a material, some of the energy is absorbed, some is reflected and some may be transmitted through the material
In a solid, liquid or gas, radiant energy can travel through the space between molecules and is absorbed and re-emitted by other molecules

16. Therefore, radiation usually passes more easily through gases than through solids or liquids since particles are farther apart

17. Controlling heat flow:
Insulators: materials that do not allow heat to flow through easily
GOOD CONDUCTORS = BAD INSULATORS
Gases are usually better insulators than solids or liquids
Ex: jacket, fiberglass insulation in buildings, thermos bottle, etc.—pg. 176

18. Section 3: Using Heat
Heating systems: all heating systems require some source of energy
Ex: wood, coal, burning fuel,
Forced air system: Fuel is burned in a furnace and heats a volume of air
A fan then blows the warm air through a series of large pipes/ducts
Cool air returns to the furnace through additional vents

19. Radiator systems: a closed metal container that contains hot water and steam
Thermal energy contained in the hot water or steam is transferred to the air surrounding the radiator by conduction
Ex: small scale—electric radiators

20. Electric Heating Systems: uses electrically heated coils placed in ceilings and floors to heat the surrounding air by conduction
Convection then distributes the heated air through the room

21. Solar Heating:
In passive solar heating systems, solar energy heats rooms inside a building, but no mechanical devices are used to move heat from one area to another
Ex: greenhouse
Homes often have a wall of windows on the south side of the house for passive solar heating

22. In active solar heating, solar collectors absorb radiant energy from the sun
The absorbed radiant energy heats water in pipes and a pump circulates the warm water to radiators in rooms of the house
Some systems have large, insulated tanks for storing heated water
Solar panels absorb heat to heat water in pipes

23. Heat Engine
-an engine that converts thermal energy into mechanical energy
Internal combustion engine—burns fuel inside the engine in chambers or cylinders
(more cylinders = more power)
Some of the power produced is given off as heat, therefore engines need cooling systems

24. Heat Movers:
A device that removes thermal energy from one location and transfers it to another location at a different temperature
Ex: Refrigerators use a coolant (liquid that evaporates at a low temperature) to cool the inside of the fridge as it changes state between liquid and gas

25. HEAT PUMPS: a two-way heat mover
Air Conditioners :
Operate similar to a refrigerator
warm air from the room is forced to pass over tubes containing coolant
Works like a heat engine in reverse using mechanical energy supplied by a compressor motor to move thermal energy from cooler to warmer areas.
HEAT PUMPS: a two-way heat mover
In warm weather, operates like an air conditioner, and in winter, operates like a heater

26. The Human Coolant
Your body uses evaporation to keep its internal temperature constant
As you sweat, it evaporates and carries away heat, making you cooler
Thermal energy that is lost by your body becomes part of the thermal energy of your evaporated sweat