This document discusses key concepts related to thermal energy and heat. It covers temperature and different temperature scales, forms of heat transfer including conduction, convection and radiation, states of matter and changes between states, and applications of heat such as in engines and refrigerators. The document contains sections on these topics along with diagrams, examples, questions and other learning activities.

1. Thermal Energy and Heat
Temperature, Thermal Energy, and Heat
The Transfer of Heat
Thermal Energy and States of Matter
Uses of Heat
Table of Contents

2. Thermal Energy and Heat Temperature,
Thermal Energy and Heat
Temperature
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of
the individual particles in matter.

3. Thermal Energy and Heat Temperature,
Thermal Energy and Heat
Temperature
Temperature changes cause the level of the liquid inside a
thermometer to rise and fall.

4. Thermal Energy and Heat Temperature,
Thermal Energy and Heat
The three common scales for
measuring temperature are the
Kelvin, Fahrenheit, Celsius, and
scales. (KFC)
The ones used more often in
science are the Celsius and
Kelvin Scale.
These two scales are similar but
0 on the Kelvin scale is Absolute
Zero. The coldest temperature
possible. This is -273.14 degrees
Celsius
Temperature Scales

5. Thermal Energy and Heat
Converting Units
To convert a Fahrenheit temperature to a Celsius
temperature, use the following formula:
ºC = 5/9 (ºF – 32)
For example, if the temperature in your classroom is 68ºF,
what is the temperature in degrees Celsius?
ºC = 5/9 (68 – 32)
ºC = 5/9 X 36
ºC = 20
The temperature of your classroom is 20ºC.
Temperature,
Thermal Energy and Heat

6. Thermal Energy and Heat
Converting Units
Practice Problem
While at the beach, you measure the ocean temperature as
77ºF. What is the temperature of the ocean in degrees
Celsius?
25ºC
Temperature,
Thermal Energy and Heat

7. Thermal Energy and Heat
Specific Heat
The specific heat of three
different materials was
measured. These data are
shown in the graph.
Temperature,
Thermal Energy and Heat

8. Thermal Energy and Heat
Specific Heat
Water, sand, and iron
Reading Graphs:
What three materials are
compared in the graph?
Temperature,
Thermal Energy and Heat

9. Thermal Energy and Heat
Specific Heat
About 4,200 J would be
required
Interpreting Data:
About how much heat is
required to raise 1 kg of water
by 1 K?
Temperature,
Thermal Energy and Heat

10. Thermal Energy and Heat
Specific Heat
Sand
Drawing Conclusions:
According to the graph, which
material requires more heat to
raise its temperature by 1 K,
iron or sand?
Temperature,
Thermal Energy and Heat

11. Thermal Energy and Heat Temperature,
Thermal Energy and Heat
Specific Heat
A material with a high specific heat
can absorb a great deal of thermal
energy without a great change in
temperature.

12. Thermal Energy and Heat
Energy
Measured
Units
Comparing and Contrasting
As you read, compare and contrast temperature, thermal
energy, and heat by completing a table like the one below.
Temperature
Average kinetic
energy of particles
Fahrenheit or Celsius
degrees, kelvins
Thermal Energy
Total energy of all
particles in an object
Joules
Heat Energy transferred Joules
Temperature,
Thermal Energy and Heat

13. Thermal Energy and Heat
Temperature
Click the Video button to watch a movie about temperature.
Temperature,
Thermal Energy and Heat

14. Thermal Energy and Heat
Links on Temperature and Heat
Click the SciLinks button for links on temperature and heat.
Temperature,
Thermal Energy and Heat

15. Thermal Energy and Heat
End of Section:
Temperature,
Thermal Energy,
and Heat

16. Thermal Energy and Heat - The Transfer of Heat
Heat Moves One Way
If two objects have different temperatures, heat will flow from
the warmer object to the colder one.

17. Thermal Energy and Heat - The Transfer of Heat
Insulators
Air between the panes of this window acts as an insulator to
slow the transfer of heat.

18. Thermal Energy and Heat
Main Idea
Detail Detail Detail
Identifying Main Ideas
As you read the section “How Is Heat Transferred?,” write
the main idea in a graphic organizer like the one below. Then
write three supporting details that further explain the main
idea.
Heat can be transferred in three ways.
Conduction–
transfer of heat
between particles
without the
movement of
matter
Convection–
transfer of heat
by the movement
of currents in a
fluid
Radiation–
transfer of
energy by
electromagnetic
waves
- The Transfer of Heat

19. Thermal Energy and Heat
Links on Heat Transfer
Click the SciLinks button for links on forms of heat transfer.
- The Transfer of Heat

20. Thermal Energy and Heat
Insulators
Click the Video button to watch a movie about insulators.
- The Transfer of Heat

21. Thermal Energy and Heat
End of Section:
The Transfer of
Heat

22. Thermal Energy and Heat Thermal Energy
and States of Matter
States of Matter
Most matter on Earth can exist in three states–solid, liquid,
and gas.

23. Thermal Energy and Heat Thermal Energy
and States of Matter
Changes of State
Matter can change from one state to another when thermal
energy is absorbed or released.

24. Thermal Energy and Heat Thermal Energy
and States of Matter
Thermal Expansion
As the thermal energy of matter increases, its particles
spread out and the substance expands. A bimetallic strip in a
thermostat contracts or expands depending on whether it is
cooled or warmed.

25. Thermal Energy and Heat
Building Vocabulary
Using a word in a sentence helps you think about how best
to explain the word. After you read the section, reread the
paragraphs that contain definitions of Key Terms. Use the
information you have learned to write a meaningful sentence
for each Key Term.
Thermal Energy
and States of Matter
Key Terms: Examples:
state Water can exist in three different states, or forms.
change of state The physical change from one state of matter to
another is called a change of state.
melting The change of state from a solid to a liquid is called
melting.
freezing The change of state from a liquid to a solid is called
freezing.
Key Terms: Examples:
evaporation
boiling
condensation
thermal expansion
If vaporization takes place at the surface of a liquid, it
is called evaporation.
At higher temperatures, vaporization can occur below
the surface of a liquid as well. This process is called
boiling.
A change from the gas state to the liquid state is called
condensation.
The expanding of matter when it is heated is known as
thermal expansion.

26. Thermal Energy and Heat
Links on Changes of State
Click the SciLinks button for links on changes of state.
Thermal Energy
and States of Matter

27. Thermal Energy and Heat
End of Section:
Thermal Energy
and States of
Matter

28. Thermal Energy and Heat - Uses of Heat
External Combustion Engines
Engines that burn fuel outside the engine in a boiler are
called external combustion engines.

29. Thermal Energy and Heat - Uses of Heat
Internal Combustion Engines
Most automobiles use four-stroke engines. These four
strokes occur repeatedly in each of the engine’s cylinders.

30. Thermal Energy and Heat
Four-Stroke Engine Activity
Click the Active Art button to open a browser window and
access Active Art about four-stroke engines.
- Uses of Heat

31. Thermal Energy and Heat - Uses of Heat
Cooling Systems
A refrigerator is a
device that transfers
thermal energy from
inside the refrigerator
to the room outside.

32. Thermal Energy and Heat
Sequencing
A sequence is the order in which a series of events occurs.
As you read, make a cycle diagram that shows how
refrigerators work. Write each phase of the cooling system’s
cycle in a separate circle.
How Refrigerators Work
Refrigerant
absorbs heat.
Compressor increases
refrigerant’s temperature.
Refrigerant releases
heat.
Expansion valve
decreases refrigerant’s
temperature.
- Uses of Heat

33. Thermal Energy and Heat
End of Section:
Uses of Heat

34. Thermal Energy and Heat
Graphic Organizer
Thermal
energy
Heat
Convection
Conduction Radiation
is the transfer of
by

35. Thermal Energy and Heat
End of Section:
Graphic Organizer