TP6 Thermal Transfer

TRANSFER OF THERMAL ENERGY
Heat energy is always transferred from areas of high temperature to areas of low temperature.
There are three methods of thermal transfer and these are
1. Conduction
2. Convection
3. Radiation
Conduction
Conduction occurs mainly in solids and it is faster in metals as they have free or ‘lone’
electrons that can carry heat energy around. Liquids and gases are poor conductors of heat.
The particles in a solid vibrate about fixed positions. When one end of a solid is heated the
particles at that end vibrate faster (gain more kinetic energy) and pass on their vibrations to
the neighbouring particles by colliding with them or hitting them.
This causes the heat to be conducted along from one end of the solid to the other. During
conduction matter does not move.
Investigating Conduction
The diagram below shows three solid rods. Pins are attached at the end of each rod with wax.
The rods are then heated at the other end with the same heat source at the same time.
State the order in which the pins will fall and explain why.
PHYSICS NOTES; Thermal Transfer leemok productions 2012©

2
Convection
Convection is a method of heat transfer in fluids (liquids and gases). During convection,
matter moves. It is the transfer of heat from a region of high temperature to a region of low
temperature by movement of the fluid itself.
When a fluid is heated the fluid nearest the heat source is heated first, expands and becomes
less dense. This less dense fluid moves up and is replaced by the more dense fluid from
above. The colder fluid is heated and the whole process is repeated until the whole fluid is at
the same temperature. The cyclic movement of the fluid as it is heated is called convection
currents.
Demonstrating convection in fluids.

A convection tube is filled with water. A small amount of potassium permanganate is then
placed in the water as shown below.
The convection tube is then heated at one corner. The arrows indicate inside the tube indicate
the direction taken by the purple colour of (KMnO4).

3
Demonstrating convection in gases.
The air around the candle flame is heated and expands. It becomes less dense, rises and
escapes through chimney B. Colder air enters the chamber through chimney A due to
convection currents. The convection currents carry with them some of the smoke particles
and as such smoke enters through chimney A and escapes through chimney B. The arrows on
the diagram indicate the direction followed by the smoke from the cloth.
Radiation
Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves.
Radiant heat is
 emitted and absorbed by any object that is above absolute zero(-273oC).
 can pass through a vacuum, i.e. matter is not necessary for the transfer of heat through
radiation.
 Infra-red radiation

4
Investigating Good & Bad absorbers of radiant heat.

The diagram below shows two cardboards placed at an equal distance from a heater. One
cardboard is painted white while the other one is painted black. Metals pins are pasted to each
cardboard with wax.
Which of the two pins falls first? Explain why.
Investigating Good & Bad emitters of radiant heat.

Two test tubes, one painted black and the other painted white are filled with boiling water as
shown in the diagram below. The two test tubes are then allowed to cool while the
temperature of the water is measured over a period of time.
Which of the two thermometers will show a quick fall in temperature? Explain why.

5
Applications Of Thermal Transfer Methods

 Thermos flask
A thermos flask is used to maintain liquids at a constant temperature. To do this they

prevent heat loss/gain through radiation, conduction and convection. A thermos flask
has the following basic features.
Plastic/cork lid: It prevents heat gain/loss through convection and conduction.
Vacuum; It prevents heat gain/loss through conduction and convection.
Silvered Walls Prevents heat gain/loss through radiation. They reflect back the
incoming or outgoing radiation.
 Domestic water heating system
Cold water goes into the boiler at the bottom. Hot water rises through convection to
the top of the storage tank.

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 Car cooling system
The arrows on the diagram shows the flow of the water.

-Fuel burns in the engine cylinders
-Water surrounding the engine cylinders become hot and rises to the top from where it
is pumped to the radiator.
-Heat is passed from the water to the radiator by conduction.
-Heat is passed to the air from the radiator by conduction, convection and radiation.
-Cool water flows from the lower end of the radiator back into the engine.
 Colour of pots & kettles as well as colours of houses in particular climates
Cooking pots and tea pots are usually shiny so that they won’t lose heat quickly. In
cold countries the colour of houses, vehicles are usually dark to help them absorb
more heat while in hot area countries they are usually light coloured to absorb less
heat during the day.
Consequences of heat transfer in nature

 Land and sea breeze
This occur next to bodies of water, e.g. lakes, dams, the sea, ponds etc.
During the day the land absorbs more heat than the water and as such becomes
warmer. The air above the land rises and cool air blows in from the side of the water.
This is called a sea or water breeze.

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At night the land emits more heat than the water and as such becomes colder. The air
above the water rises and cool air blows in from the side of the land. This is called a
land breeze.
 Days & nights in deserts

Sand is a good absorber and emitter of heat. It has a very low specific heat capacity.
During the day it absorbs a lot of heat and as such days are hotter in the desert. At
night the sand emits most of its heat and as such nights can be very cold in the desert.
Lack of vegetation, low humidity and zero cloud cover means there is nothing to trap
the heat from escaping into space at night.
 Desert Breezes
-During the day the desert sand becomes hotter than areas covered by vegetation. The
wind is from forest to desert
-At night the desert sand loses heat faster and warmer air rises from the forest and a
breeze develops from desert to forest.
 Greenhouse effect
- Radiant heat from the sun is absorbed by the earth
- The earth becomes warm and emits heat most of which escapes back into
space.
- CO2, SO2, CO and CH4 gases in the atmosphere prevent some of this heat
from escaping and as such it is trapped in the atmosphere.
- An increase in these gases in the atmosphere means more heat is trapped and
the atmosphere becomes warmer.
- This is known as the Greenhouse effect.
- The Greenhouse Effect gives rise to Global warming which in turn leads to
 climate change which could lead to extinction of some animal & plant
species,
 melting of polar ice caps which results in flooding of coastal areas,
 Increase in violent storms (especially tropical cyclones) due to the
increased energy in the atmosphere.
 Desertification in some areas.
 Diseases

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TRANSFER OF THERMAL ENERGY

PHYSICS NOTES; Thermal Transfer leemok productions 2012©

Demonstrating convection in fluids.

PHYSICS NOTES; Thermal Transfer leemok productions 2012©

Demonstrating convection in gases.

PHYSICS NOTES; Thermal Transfer leemok productions 2012©

Investigating Good & Bad absorbers of radiant heat.

Which of the two pins falls first? Explain why.

Investigating Good & Bad emitters of radiant heat.

PHYSICS NOTES; Thermal Transfer leemok productions 2012©

Applications Of Thermal Transfer Methods

A thermos flask is used to maintain liquids at a constant temperature. To do this they

 Domestic water heating system

PHYSICS NOTES; Thermal Transfer leemok productions 2012©

 Car cooling system

The arrows on the diagram shows the flow of the water.

Consequences of heat transfer in nature

PHYSICS NOTES; Thermal Transfer leemok productions 2012©

 Days & nights in deserts

PHYSICS NOTES; Thermal Transfer leemok productions 2012©

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