Thermal (heat) energy transfers

• Thermal energy is the energy transferring from a hotter to a colder environment.
• Good to bad thermal conductors are: diamond, silver, copper, aluminium, steel, lead, ice, marble, glass, rubber, wool.
• Metals are better conductors than non-metals. This is because of delocalized electrons.
• Liquids can conduct heat, but they conduct through convection.
• Rising of hot air is anexample of convection.
• Convection is energy transferred through a material from a warmer place to a colder place by the movement of the material itself.
• Conduction is energy transferred through a material from a warmer place to a colder place without the movement of the material itself.
• Convection results from the expansion of the fluid when heated.
• Radiation travels electromagnetic waves.
• The hotter an object, the more infrared radiation it gives out.
• Shiny or white surfaces are the best reflectors of light.
• Matte black surfaces are the best absorbers.
• Matte black surfaces are the best emmiters.
• Conduction and convection may use up a lot of energy and money.
• Thick curtains stop convection currents so this prevents cold air from coming inside a home and hot air from leaving.
• Convection currents explain the origin of winds and ocean patterns