Chapter 6 Thermal Energy

Sections 1 and 2

Temperature• The measure of the particle

movement or kinetic energy of atoms and molecules in an object.

Absolute zero

• The lowest temperature possible (-273 °C) when no more energy can be removed from matter, or when particles are no longer moving.

Thermal Energy

•The total energy of all particles in matter.

Heat

•Movement of thermal energy from a high temperature to a low temperature.

Heat Transfer

•Conduction: Heat is transferred from one object’s particles to another

Heat Transfer cont…

• Convection: The mass movement of heated liquid or gas.

• EX. Wind, oven, home heating system.

Radiation

• Transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves.

• EX: The sun

Conductors and Insulators

• A material that absorbs or conducts heat well is a conductor.

• EX: Metals

Conductors and Insulators

• Insulators are materials that do not conduct heat well and slow the transfer of energy.

• EX: Wood, wool, straw, Styrofoam

Specific Heat

• The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1Kg of a substance by one Kelvin.

• EX: water has a specific heat of 4.18J/KgxKelvin

• Units: J/KgxKelvin

Equation for change in Energy or transfer of thermal energy

•Mass x specific heat x change in temperature

Heat added = specific heat x mass x (tfinal - tinitial)