CHAPTER 8

Transfer of Thermal Energy

© 2013 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited

The tea will stay hot in a clay
teapot because the thick clay
keeps the tea hot
Chapter 8 Transfer of Thermal Energy

8.1 Transfer of Thermal Energy

8.2 Conduction
8.3 Convection
8.4 Radiation
8.5 Applications of Thermal Energy Transfer
8.1 Transfer of Thermal Energy

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
• show an understanding that thermal energy is
transferred from a region of higher temperature to
a region of lower temperature;
• apply the concept above to solve problems.

How is temperature
different from
thermal energy?
8.1 Transfer of Thermal Energy

How is temperature different

from thermal energy?

Temperature is a measurement of the degree

of hotness or coldness of a body.

Thermal energy is the amount of energy

that a body has.

A body with higher temperature does not always

means it has more thermal energy. Other factors
like mass have to be considered.
 8.1 Transfer of Thermal Energy

Transfer of Thermal Energy

object A 100°C after some time 65°C object A

object B 30°C 65°C object B

Thermal energy always flows from a region of higher

temperature to a region of lower temperature. Net flow
of thermal energy occurs only when there is a
difference in temperature.
The transfer of heat will stop if two bodies achieve
thermal equilibrium (having the same temperature)
8.1 Transfer of Thermal Energy

Quick Check
For heat transfer to occur, there
must be a difference in

(a) volume
(b) mass
(c) temperature
(d) pressure

Answer: (c) temperature

Chapter 8 Transfer of Thermal Energy

8.1 Transfer of Thermal Energy

8.2 Conduction
8.3 Convection
8.4 Radiation
8.5 Applications of Thermal Energy Transfer
8.2 Conduction

Learning Outcome
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
• describe how energy transfer occurs in solids at
the molecular level.
 8.2 Conduction
What is Conduction?
Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through a medium
without any flow of the medium.
It is transferred through particles vibration, the passing of heat
from one particle to another

How does Conduction Work?

• Particles at the heated end vibrate vigorously.
• They collide with neighbouring particles and transfer their energy.
• Eventually the particles at the cooler end are also set into
vigorous vibration.
8.2 Conduction

Thermal conductors and insulators

• Material that can conduct heat easily are known as
good thermal conductors. All metals are good
conductors of thermal energy.

• Insulators are poor conductors of heat. Examples of

insulators are rubber, plastics, wood.

• Solids are generally better conductors of thermal

energy compared to liquid and gas. This is because
the particles in solid are closely packed together.
8.2 Conduction
Why do Metals Conduct
Thermal Energy More Quickly?
• It is due to the presence of free electrons in metals.
- In non-metals, thermal energy is transferred through the
vibration and collision of particles.
- In metals, thermal energy is transferred through the vibration
and collision of particles, and the process of electron
diffusion.
- In metals, electrons gain kinetic energy and move more
rapidly. They collide with atoms in the cooler parts of the
metal and pass on their energy in the process.
8.2 Conduction

Thermal Conductors and Insulators

The diagram shows four rods, coated with wax,
attached to a hot water tank. The copper rod has the
longest length of melted wax, followed by iron, glass
and wood.
Questions copper
1. Which of the materials
is the best thermal
conductor?
2. Which of the materials
is the best thermal
insulator?
wood
8.2 Conduction

Do Liquids Conduct Thermal Energy?

The ice wrapped in the
metal gauze melts very
slowly even when the water
at the top starts boiling.

Question
From the above
observation, what can you
infer about the ability of
A) Water is a good conductor of heat
water to transfer thermal
B) Water is a poor conductor of heat
energy through conduction?
C) Water cannot conduct heat

Answer: (B) Water is a poor conductor of heat

 8.2 Conduction
Use of good conductors and good insulators
Good conductors are used in situations where heat needs
to be transmitted quickly.
In contrast, good insulators are used in situations where
heat needs to be conducted as slowly as possible.

insulators

good conductors
marble and ceramic floor tiles
saucepans are made of good conductors help to keep feet cool in hot
while their handles are made of insulators countries like Singapore
The tea will stay hot in a clay
teapot because the thick clay
keeps the tea hot
8.2 Conduction

Quick Check
Of the three states of matter:
solid, liquid and gas,
(a) which is the best conductor of heat?
Answer: Solid

(b) which is the worst conductor of heat?

Answer: gas
8.2 Conduction

Quick Check
Which are the to ways in which heat is
transferred in solid?
Answer:
particles vibrations and electrons diffusion
8.2 Conduction

Do now
WS 8A
Q1–4
(Page 73-74)
Chapter 8 Transfer of Thermal Energy

8.1 Transfer of Thermal Energy

8.2 Conduction
8.3 Convection
8.4 Radiation
8.5 Applications of Thermal Energy Transfer
8.3 Convection

Learning Outcome
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
• describe convection in fluids (liquids and gases) in
terms of density changes.

Recall how density is

defined in Chapter 4.
8.3 Convection

Convection

Convection is the transfer of thermal energy by means

of convection currents in a fluid (liquid or gas), due to a
difference in density.

What is the difference between conduction

and convection?
• In conduction, thermal energy is transferred from one
particle to another.
• In convection, thermal energy is transferred through the
actual movement of the heated particles from the warmer
to cooler parts of the fluid.
8.3 Convection

Convection in Liquid
• When the water at the bottom of
the flask is heated, it expands.
• The expanded water is less
dense than the surrounding water
and rises.
• Since the upper region is cooler, it
is denser and therefore sinks.
• The difference in the densities of
water in the different regions sets
up a convection current.
• This is shown by purple streams
rising from the bottom and sinking
at the sides.
8.3 Convection

Convection in Gas
• When the air above the candle
is heated, it expands.

• The expanded air is less dense

than the surrounding air and
A B rises out of chimney B.

• Since the surrounding air is

cooler, it is denser and
therefore sinks into chimney A.

• The difference in the densities of

the air at the different chimneys
sets up a convection current.
 8.3 Convection
Application of Convection:
Why the heating element of a kettle is placed at the bottle of a
kettle?

Answer:
It is to allow convection to take place so as to effectively heat up
the water in the kettle.
When the water near the heating element is heated, it becomes
less dense and rises. The cooler, denser water from the top of
the kettle will sink, and in turns gets heated and rise. This
process continue and convection currents are set up, causing all
water to get heated.
 8.3 Convection
Application of Convection:
Air-conditioners are best positioned high, near the ceiling of a room.

▪ cold air which is denser sinks

▪ warm air which is less dense rises
▪ cycle repeats until room air
temperature is the same as the
temperature set on the thermostat
of the air-conditioner
warm
air
air-conditioner

cold air
8.3 Convection
How is Sea Breezes Formed?
• In the day, the land heats up faster than the sea. The
air above the land is heated, expands and rises.
• Cool air above the sea is denser and moves in to
replace the warmer air. This sets up a sea breeze.
8.3 Convection
How is Land Breezes Formed?
• At night, the land cools faster than the sea.
• The air above the land is now cooler than the air
above the sea.
• A convection current is set up in the opposite
direction. This is called a land breeze.
• .
Chapter 8 Transfer of Thermal Energy

8.1 Transfer of Thermal Energy

8.2 Conduction
8.3 Convection
8.4 Radiation
8.5 Applications of Thermal Energy Transfer
8.4 Radiation

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
• explain energy transfer of a body by radiation;
• state the factors that affect the rate of energy
transfer by radiation.
8.4 Radiation

Radiation
Radiation is the transfer of thermal energy in the form of
electromagnetic waves such as infrared radiation
without the aid of a medium.

• All bodies emit infrared radiation.

• Infrared radiation does not require a medium to be
transmitted. This is how the Earth is warmed by the Sun.
• The rate of emission of radiation is affected by a few
factors.
 8.4 Radiation
Effect of Colour and Texture on
Emission Rate of Infrared Radiation

black and shiny and

dull tin silver tin
Question
What can you deduce from the cooling graphs for the
black tin and the shiny tin?
Water in the black tin cools down faster as black surface
is a better emitter of heat than shiny surface.
 8.4 Radiation
Effect of Colour and Texture on
Absorption Rate of Infrared Radiation

Question
What can you deduce from the graphs for
Shiny Blackened the blackened and shiny aluminium foil?
alumimium alumimium
foil foil The blackened foil get heated up faster
as black surface is a better absorber of
heat than shiny surface.
8.4 Radiation
Other Factors Affecting
Emission/Absorption Rate of Infrared
Radiation
• Surface area
For two objects of identical mass and material,
the object with the larger surface area will emit
or absorb infrared radiation at a higher rate.
8.4 Radiation
Other Factors Affecting
Emission/Absorption Rate of Infrared
Radiation
• Surface
temperature
The higher the
temperature of an
object relative to its
surrounding
temperature, the
higher the rate of
emission of infrared
radiation.
Chapter 8 Transfer of Thermal Energy

8.1 Transfer of Thermal Energy

8.2 Conduction
8.3 Convection
8.4 Radiation
8.5 Applications of Thermal Energy Transfer
8.5 Applications of Thermal
Energy Transfer

Learning Outcome
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
• describe how the concept of thermal energy
transfer by conduction, convection and radiation
applies to everyday life.
During winter season

C
B
A
8.5 Applications of Thermal
Energy Transfer
Conduction

Table mat –
made of wood

Question
How does the table mat reduce the rate of thermal
energy transfer by conduction?
Wood is a poor conductor (good insulator) of heat. It
will help to reduce heat loss by conduction and keep
the food hot for a longer time.
8.5 Applications of Thermal
Energy Transfer
Conduction
Question
How do the double-glazed windows
reduce the rate of thermal energy
transfer by conduction?

The double-glazed winder traps air

which is a poor conductor (good
insulator) of heat. It will help to reduce
the rate of thermal energy transfer by
conduction.
double-glazed windows
8.5: Applications of Thermal
Energy Transfer

Uses of bad conductors of heat (insulators)

1. Handles of appliances and utensils – made of plastics

or wood

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28 July 2022 Cavendish International (Singapore)
Pte. Ltd.
 8.5 Applications of Thermal
Energy Transfer
Convection
freezing unit

• The small refrigerator in the

diagram cools its contents by
convection.
• The freezing unit cools the air
warm cool air at the top of the refrigerator.
air rises sinks
• The cooled air is denser and
therefore sinks.
• Warmer air from the bottom
rises to replace the cooled air,
small refrigerator setting up a convection current
that cools the interior of the
refrigerator.
8.5 Applications of Thermal
Energy Transfer
Radiation
Teapots
– Shiny teapots can keep tea warm for a longer time
than black teapots.
– It can also keep cold liquids cool for a longer time
than black containers.
8.5 Applications of Thermal
Energy Transfer
Question
How do the various features of the vacuum
flask shown below minimise heat transfer?

plastic stopper

double-walled glass
container with
trapped air silvered surfaces

outer case
hot liquid

vacuum cork
8.5 Applications of Thermal
Energy Transfer

• Plastic stopper
• The stopper reduces heat loss by convection and evaporation.
• It is made of plastic to reduce heat loss by conduction.

• Vacuum
• The vacuum prevent conduction and convection through the
sides of the flask.

• Silvered surfaces of walls

• Reduces heat transfer through radiation through the sides of the
flask.

• Wooden supports
• Reduce heat transfer by conduction through the base.
8.5 Applications of Thermal
Energy Transfer
Worked Example
A saucepan with a thick copper base contains water
and is placed on a flat electric hot plate.
(a) State the process by which thermal energy is
(i) transferred from the hot plate to the water;
(ii) transferred through the water.
(b) The sides of a saucepan are often polished, but
the base is usually dark-coloured. Why is this so?
8.5 Applications of Thermal
Energy Transfer

Solution
(a) (i) Conduction
(ii) Convection
(b) The sides are polished to reduce heat loss due to
radiation. Polished and shiny surfaces are poor
emitters of radiation. The base is dark-coloured, so it
can absorb heat easily by radiation. This allows the
water (or other substances) in the saucepan to heat
up quickly.
 Chapter 8 Transfer of Thermal Energy
Transfer of Thermal
Energy
by the processes of

Conduction Convection Radiation

• in non-metals, by the • by means of convection • by the transfer of
vibration of particles currents in the fluid (liquid or thermal energy in the
• in metals, by the gas) form of infrared
vibration of particles • convection current forms due radiation
and free electron to changes in the density of the • does not require a
diffusion fluid medium
• requires a medium • requires a medium

applied in

The design of appliances such as

• cooking utensils
• heat exchangers
• household hot water systems
• air conditioners
• vacuum flasks