THERMAL PHYSICS

Conduction:-
The transfer of thermal energy without any movement of matter.
- when heat is supplied , the particles vibrate and they transfer
energy to the neighbouring particles.

Why some materials are good conductors of heat?

- Insulators like , wood , plastic , rubber do not conduct heat very well because
they can only transfer through lattice vibrations
- Conductors like all metals also have free electrons , which helps heat to
reach quickly

Why Conduction is better in solids rather than gas or some liquids?

- Solids have a fixed arrangement of particles hence conduction can take place easily.
- While gases particles are freely and randomly moving hence they donot conduct very well
- Liquids particles can slide and move so they also donot conduct by vibrating at the
same place

EXPERIMENT

- put wax on each material

- the material that metls the wax quickest will
be the better conductor
Convection:-
The transfer of themal energy in fluids by the movement of particles in
form of convectional currents

Air Conditioning system Heating System:-

- Hot air is less dense so it

will rise to reach the air
conditioner
- cold air is more dense so it
will sink to the bottom
- this forms a convectional
current for faster transfer
of heat

Experiment to prove convectional current

Question Test tube
Water

Wire mesh to
keep ice down

Ice

Why does the ice not melt quickly?

1- No convectional currents forms because heated water

2- Water (liquid) is a bad conductor so slow conduction takes place.

Radiation:-
The transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic wave i.e. Infrared
- they dont require a medium to transfer heat. (Solid, Liquid or gas)

Color :- Texture :

White - a poor absorber Shiny : a good reflector

a poor emitter

Black - a good absorber Rough : a poor reflector

a good emitter

Question:- In both the cans in experiment one cold water of some

temperature is added on a hot day. Which can will cuase the water to get
warmer quickly?

Painted Black Painted white

Would be black , as it is a good absorber

In an Experiment two , hot water is added to both cans at same temperature on a cold day. Which can will
lose heat quickly?
Would be black as it is a good emitter
Question- A thermos is desgined to keep hot water hot and cold water cold.

Which configuration is best to achive this result?

White - poor emitter and poor absorber of infrared

Shiny- good reflector

Energy transfer between two different molecules in contact-

The heat energy always transfer from a region of higher temperature to a region of
lower temperature
- greater the temperature difference , the greater the energy transfer is going to be.

Rate of energy transfer depends on

1) difference of temperature
2) surface area

environment is

Smaller surface area Larger surface area

Lose heat slowly Lose heat quickly
 Which body will transfer heat?
- A will transfer equal amount of heat to B and vice versa
- There is no “net” heat flow between

Real world examples

a) heating of a kitchen pan

How does the heat reach the water

Conduction Convection Radiation

- Metal is a good conductor - heated water becomes less dense and rises - black color would
- Pan gets heated quickly and - cold water sink as it is more dense absorb more infrared
transfer heat to water - this causes convectional current radiation hence it will
transfer more heat

b) a fire burning wood or coal

Which type of energy transfer would cause the people sitting close to fire get warmed?
Conduction Convection Radiation
- Air is a poor - hot air rises at top of fire -Heat will transfer directly to
conductor , its a gas that doesnot reach the people colder region in the surroundings
- It doesnot require a medium to do
- not directly in contact
so
Design a thermos
Cork (Wood or plastic)

Vacuum

Shiny silver outside wall

Shiny silver inside wall

Conduction Convection Radiation

Requires a medium and - cannot happen in vacuum Shiny silver is a good
cannot happen in vacuum - cork will stop convection reflector
Wood and plastic are current of air happening
poor conductors.