1. Thermal Energy and Temperature
Amole 2013

2. What is Thermal Energy? Energy is the ability to do work
It is required to move or change matter in any way
Thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of particles that make up a substance
More kinetic energy in particles means greater thermal energy

3. Check your Understanding
Which object in the pictures below has the most thermal energy?

4. What is Kinetic Theory?
Kinetic Theory describes the behavior of particles in relation to thermal energy
The three main points are…
All matter is made up of atoms and/or molecules that act as tiny particles
These particles are always in motion. Particles move faster at higher temperatures.
At the same temperature, more-massive (heavier) particles will move slower than less massive (lighter) particles.

5. What is TEmperature?
A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in an object
Tells how hot or cold something is
Thermometers are used to find this value
Units for temperature are degrees…
Celsius
Fahrenheit
Kelvin

6. Check your Understanding
Which object in the pictures below has the greatest temperature?

7. How do thermometers work?
Most substances expand when heated
The liquid in the thermometers (usually colored alcohol or mercury) expand as the temperature increases
1. Temperature rises
2. Particles in thermometer
gain energy
3. Faster particles cause them to
move farther apart and up the
tube

8. What is TEmperature?
A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in an object
Tells how hot or cold something is
Thermometers are used to find this value
Units for temperature are degrees…
Celsius
Fahrenheit
Kelvin

9. Temperature has 3 scales
Fahrenheit
Used in Unites States
Water freezes at 32˚F
Water boils at 212˚F
Celsius
Used by most other countries and scientists
One ˚C is 1.8 (9/5) larger than one ˚F
Water freezes at 0˚C
Water boils at 100˚C

10. Temperature has 3 scales
Kelvin
Used to express very cold temperatures
One Kelvin is equal to the size of one °C.
Based on absolute zero
Absolute zero is the temperature at which all molecular motion stops (0 K)

11. Temperature scales

12. Check your Understanding
A. What is the temperature of freezing water? 1) 0°F 2) 0°C 3) 0 K B. What is the temperature of boiling water? 1) 100°F 2) 32°F 3) 373 K C. What is the temperature of absolute zero? 1) 0°C 2) 32°F 3) 0 K

13. Temperature Conversions
On the Fahrenheit scale, there are 180°F between the freezing and boiling points and on the Celsius scale, there are 100°C.
180°F = 9°F = 1.8°F
100°C °C °C
In the formula for the Fahrenheit temperature, adding 32 adjusts the zero point of water from 0°C to 32°F.
TF = 9/5 TC  or
TF = (1.8 TC ) + 32

14. Temperature Conversions
TC is obtained by rearranging the equation for TF.
TF = TC
Subtract 32 from both sides.
TF = 1.8TC ( )
TF = 1.8TC
Divide by 1.8 =°F = TC
(TF - 32) = TC
1.8

15. Temperature Conversions
The Kelvin temperature scale
has 100 units between the freezing and boiling points of water.
100 K = 100°C or 1 K = 1°C
is obtained by adding 273 to the Celsius temperature.
TK = TC

16. Solving A Temperature Problem
A person with hypothermia has a
body temperature of 34.8°C. What is that temperature in °F?
TF = 1.8 TC 
TF = 1.8 (34.8°C) °
= °
= 94.6°F
Copyright © by Pearson Education, Inc.
Publishing as Benjamin Cummings

17. Check your Understanding
The normal temperature of a chickadee is 105.8°F. What is that temperature on the Celsius scale?
Formulas:
°F = 1.8 (°C) K = °C +273
°C = (°F – 32) °C = K -273
1.8

18. Solution 41.0 °C TC = (TF - 32°) 1.8 = (105.8 - 32°) = 73.8°F = 41.0°C
= ( °)
= 73.8°F = °C
1.8°

19. Check your Understanding
On a cold winter day, the temperature is –15°C.
What is that temperature in °F?
Formulas:
°F = 1.8 (°C) K = °C +273
°C = (°F – 32) °C = K -273
1.8

20. TF = 1.8 TC + 32 Solution 5°F TF = 1.8(–15°C) + 32° = – 27 + 32°
= – °
= 5°F

21. Check your Understanding
What is normal body temperature of 37°C in Kelvins?
Formulas:
°F = 1.8 (°C) K = °C +273
°C = (°F – 32) °C = K -273
1.8

22. Solution
310. K
TK = TC
= 37°C
= K