1. THERMAL ENERGY TRANSFER
NOTES

2. Objectives
HEAT:
The transfer of energy from high temperature to low temperature.
Students will know how thermal energy is transferred (3 types)
Students will give examples of each type of thermal energy transfer
Students will know some characteristics of each type of thermal energy.
Students will gain knowledge for experiments demonstrating each type of thermal energy transfer

3. THERMAL ENERGY Total amount of energy in an object’s moving molecules.
Heat--flow of thermal energy from a warmer object to a cooler object

4. Definition of Temperature
The measure of the average motion of all the molecules and or atoms in an object.
Freezing point- Celsius 0, Fahrenheit 32, Kelvin 273
Boiling point- Celsius 100, Fahrenheit 212, Kelvin 373

5. Specific Heat
A measure of the relationship between heat and temperature change (How much energy does it take to get this thing hot?)
Conductor vs. Insulator
Water has very high specific heat
Metals have low specific heat

6. Types of Heat Transfer
Conduction: transfer of thermal energy through matter which moves from warm to cold when objects touch
Example: stove top, Hand on steel during cold weather, hands on hot chocolate mug

7. Convection: energy transfers by a moving fluid (liquid or gas) and needs matter to travel.
Example: wind, ocean currents, steam from hot chocolate mug, Macaroni noodles rise and fall in boiling water.

8. Radiation: thermal energy moving through space and does not require matter.
Example: Warmth from a fire, light from the sun, electromagnetic spectrum

9. Heat Transfer with a Fireplace
Conduction- Fast-moving particles in the fire transfer heat as they collide with slow-moving particles in the metal tools.
Convection- When the air around the fire is heated, it becomes less dense than the cooler air nearby and rises.
Radiation- The fire transforms chemical energy in the wood to electromagnetic energy, which radiates throughout the room.

10. REMEMBER
Energy always travels from an area of HIGH energy to LOW energy! (Heat flows from hot to cold objects)

11. Objects and Energy Flow
Conductors
Help energy move
Examples: metals
Insulators slow down energy flow
Examples: plastic, air, styrofoam

12. Review Name the three types of energy transfer.
Define each type of energy transfer.
Give examples of each type.
Give example on helping and restricting energy.
What benefit does understanding this information have in science?
How can this help you understand your world around you?