1. Thermal Energy

2. What is Thermal Energy?
The energy possessed by an object or system due to the movement of particles within the object

3. Thermal Energy cont. Thermal energy is the result of kinetic energy
The more kinetic energy an object has, the more thermal energy that object has
The faster the molecules in an object are moving, the higher the temperature that object has

4. Thermal Energy cont

5. Thermal Conductors
A material that allows thermal energy to be transferred within the material
Place a metal spoon in a cup of boiling water
What happens to the spoon?

6. Thermal Conductors cont.
The spoon will become hot!
This is because thermal energy from the boiling water was transferred to the metal spoon

7. Thermal Insulators
A material that prevents thermal energy from being transferred
Insulation in housing is made up of thermal insulating material to keep your home warm or cold
Prevents warm air from leaving in the winter
Prevents warm air from entering in the summer

8. Thermal Insulators cont.

9. Thermal Insulators cont.

10. Thermal Expansion
When an object’s volume increases as a result of the object’s temperature increasing
Example: Hot air balloon
As heat is added, the balloon inflates
When it inflates, the volume increases

11. Thermal Contraction
The decrease in an object’s volume as a result of its temperature being decreased
A balloon’s volume will decrease when exposed to colder temperatures

12. Heat
The transfer of thermal energy from one object to another

13. Heat Transfer
Heat is always transferred from high temperatures to lower temperatures

14. Heat transfer Heat can be transferred in three different ways
Conduction
Convection
Radiation

15. Conduction
Conduction is the transfer of heat from one object to another by direct contact
“Ouch”
Example: Touching a hot pan without a pot holder and burning your hand

16. Convection The transfer of heat through movement or circulation
Warm air rises and cool air sinks
Creates a “convection” current
Remember: Heat moves from warm to cold

17. Convection cont.

18. Convection Cont.

19. Convection Cont.

20. Radiation
The transfer of heat by waves or rays

21. Radiation cont.

22. Using Radiation We use radiation as a form of alternative energy
Solar Radiation

24. Specific Heat
The amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the temperature by 1 degree Celsius
The larger a material’s specific heat, the more thermal energy the material can absorb and hold on to

25. Specific Heat cont.

26. Specific Heat cont. Water has a higher specific heat than aluminum
This means that:
Water can hold more thermal energy than aluminum
Water stays warmer for much longer than aluminum does

27. Geothermal Energy
We have found ways to use thermal energy as a source of alternative energy
Geothermal Energy