thermal transfers Flashcards
(11 cards)
state the definition of a conductor
a material that allows energy (heat or electricity) to flow through it easily
state the definition of an insulator
a material that does not easily transmit energy (heat or electricity)
what is meant by conduction?
the transfer of thermal energy from an area of high thermal energy to an area of low thermal energy
where does energy move during conduction?
from hot to cold
what is meant by convection?
when hot particles gain energy and rise, colder particles fill the empty space, creating a continuous flow
where does convection occur?
in liquids or gases
what is meant by radiation?
when an object gives off infrared radiation as heat waves, ad this is taken in by another object, leading it to heat up
what is special about radiation?
it’s the only type of thermal transfer that can travel through a vacuum as it doesn’t require a medium to move through
what is meant by insulation?
stopping each of the three thermal transfers in order to prevent heat loss
how does a flask utilize insulation?
through a combination of a vacuum and reflective surfaces to minimize heat transfer
if two identical cups of hot milk are sitting on a counter and one has a metal spoon in it, which will cool down faster?
the one with the metal spoon, as metal is a good conductor, the spoon absorbs heat from the cocoa and then radiates that heat into the surrounding air, causing the cocoa to cool faster
