Transfer of Thermal energy

 Thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules in

a body.
 Thermal energy always flow from a region of higher temperature to a
region of lower temperature.
 The amount of thermal energy transferred is the amount of heat that
flows.
 Net flow of thermal energy occurs only when there is a difference in
temperature.
Thermal energy may be transfer through
processes:
 Conductor
 Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through a medium without
any flow of the medium.
 Good conductors are those materials which allow heat to pass through
them easily. Example – Copper and iron are good conductor of heat.
 Bad conductors/ insulators are those materials which do not allow heat to
pass through them easily. Example – glass, plastic, wood, air and water are
poor conductor of heat.
 Another term for poor conductor of heat is an insulator.
Difference between Conductor and insulator
• When one end of rod is heated, the molecules gain
energy and vibrate faster. These molecules collides
with their less energetic neighbors.
• Their energy is transfer to these neighboring
molecules which in turns gain kinetic energy.
Thermal energy is passed along the rod by the
vibrating molecules.
• This transfer of energy continues on until the cold
end reaches the same temperature as the hot end.
• Conduction of thermal energy in metals is far better than in solids as
conduction takes place through vibrating molecules as well as using
free electrons in metals.
• When heated, the free electrons gain energy and move faster.
• They are free to travel in the spaces between molecules before
colliding with the other electrons and molecules and transferring
some of their energy to them.
• This process is much faster than the conduction by the vibration of
molecules in the body.
• Hence metal conducts heat much faster than non-metals which have
no free electrons.
• Conduction cannot occurs when there are no particles present, so
vacuum is a perfect insulator.
• Gases and liquids are poor conductor because their particles are so
far apart.
 Define thermal energy.  Home assignment
 Name and describe the 3 methods  Revise thermal energy
of transfer of thermal energy.
 Written Task

Class assignment Home assignment

 Define thermal energy.  Revise thermal energy
 Name and describe the 3 methods of
transfer of thermal energy.