Energy: Conservation and Transfer

Heat The transfer of energy between objects that are at 2 different temperatures

Conduction Conduction is the transfer of heat by the collision of particles; the particles must touch in order to transfer heat. Metals are considered good conductors since they can speedily transfer heat. Stone is also a moderately good conductor, but wood, paper, air, and cloth are poor heat conductors.

Convection Transfer of heat from one place to another by the movement of fluids or gases

Radiation The energy radiated by electromagnetic waves through empty space as a result of their temperature; heat travels outward from its source

Transfer to convey or remove from one object, place, person, etc., to another

Electromagnetic Waves Electromagnetic waves are formed when an electric field (shown as blue arrows) couples with a magnetic field (shown as red arrows). When you listen to the radio, watch TV, or cook dinner in a microwave oven, you are using electromagnetic waves.

Thermal Energy Thermal energy is the energy of a substance due to the movement of its atoms or molecules. More the molecules are moving about, the higher the temperature.

Convection Cell Moving body of fluid due to the rise of heat and fall (gravity) of cool gases until the heat is no longer heated (Ex. Current/cycle) Convection cells are responsible for making macaroni rise and sink in a pot of boiling water. One of the forces that contributes to lava erupting from a volcano is convection.

Insulator A material that does not conduct heat very well Ex: foam, paper, plastic, wood

Conductor A material that gets hot and cools off very quickly Ex: metal, water