Page 218 - Big Ideas Year 9 sciPAD 2025
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218 SCIPAD - BIG IDEAS - BOOK 1
ENERGY AND ITS TRANSFER
Thermal Energy
In everyday language, people often mix up the terms ‘temperature’, ‘thermal energy’ and ‘heat’,
however they have specific scientific meanings. Understanding these terms helps us learn how
energy works in our world, like warming our homes or cooking food.
Thermal energy
Thermal energy is the total energy of all the particles in an object. It depends
on both temperature and the amount of the substance. More particles or a
higher temperature means more thermal energy. Thermal energy cannot
be measured but can be calculated using specific formulae.
Heat
Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from one object to another. Heat
moves from warmer objects to cooler ones until they are the same
temperature. Heat can move by conduction, convection and radiation.
Heat can be calculated using formulae, or measured with instruments
called calorimeters
Temperature
Temperature tells us how hot or cold something is. It measures the average
kinetic energy of the particles in an object. When something is hot, its
particles move fast; when it’s cold, they move slowly. Temperature can
be measured using thermometers.
1. What does the temperature of an object tell us about its particles?
2. State a common instrument used to measuring temperature.
3. Temperature and thermal energy both relate to the kinetic energy of particles but describe
different properties of the particles. Describe how they are different.
4. Determine if the statements are referring to ‘thermal energy’, ‘temperature’, or ‘heat’.
(a) The total energy of all the particles in an object.
(b) The flow of thermal energy.
(c) The average kinetic energy of the particles.
(d) The hotness or coldness of an object.
(e) A cup of tea feels warmer than the cup of milk next to it.
(f) A candle flame, feels warm without touching it.
(g) A large pot of boiling water takes longer to cool down than a small one.
(h) Melting ice cubes absorb energy from the surrounding environment.
(i) The longer you heat a metal rod, the hotter it becomes.
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