Chapter 9

Heat and States of Matter

Physical Science
Section 1: Temperature and Thermal Energy
Kinetic Theory of Matter
KINETIC THEORY-all matter is made of constantly
moving particles that collide without losing energy
❖The particles are atoms, molecules, or ions.
❖The motion of the particles is random.
❖Because these particles are in
motion, they have kinetic energy.
❖As the particles move around, they
can collide. When they collide,
kinetic energy is transferred from
one particle to another.
Temperature
TEMPERATURE OF A SUBSTANCE-the AVERAGE
KINETIC ENERGY in the particles of the substance
❖Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold
something is.
⮚ If the molecules within an object are moving fast, the
object will be hot.
⮚ If the molecules are moving slowly, the object will be
cold.
❖The particles in hot tea move faster on
average than those in iced tea.
❖Temperature Scales
⮚ Fahrenheit (°F) scale
✔ For water: freezing point = 32°F;
boiling point = 212°F
❖Celsius (°C) scale
⮚ For most scientific work,
temperature is measured
on the Celsius scale.
⮚ For water:
freezing point = 0°C;
boiling point = 100°C
⮚ Kelvin temperature can be found by adding 273 to the
Celsius reading.
⮚ Zero (0 K) is the coldest possible temperature, also
known as absolute zero.
Thermal Energy
THERMAL ENERGY-the TOTAL AMOUNT
KINETIC ENERGY in all of the particles that make up a
substance
❖The amount of thermal energy depends on both the
temperature and the amount of matter you have.
❖ Thermal energy is sometimes called heat energy.
A joule is a small amount of
energy. The average hair
dryer puts out 1,200 J of
heat per second.

4,184
Heat
HEAT-the flow of thermal energy from one object to
another due to a difference in temperature
❖Heat is the FLOW of
thermal energy from a
warmer substance to a
cooler substance.

Heat flows from the

warmer liquid
ingredients (milk,
sugar, vanilla, etc) to
the cooler ice & salt
mixture.
❖Examples
❖Temperature, thermal energy, and heat are different.
⮚ Temperature is the AVERAGE KINETIC
ENERGY in the particles of the substance
⮚ Thermal energy (or heat energy) is the TOTAL
AMOUNT KINETIC ENERGY in all of the
particles
that make up a
substance
⮚ Heat is the FLOW
of thermal energy
Not all substances heat up (or cool down) at the same rate.
❖Sand heats up faster than ocean water. Sand also
cools down faster than ocean water.
Section 3: Transferring Thermal Energy
Ways to Transfer Thermal Energy
❖conduction
❖convection
❖radiation

We will look at several examples of conduction,

convection, and radiation as we learn about the terms. As
we look at the examples, you will see that it is possible
for more than one method of thermal energy transfer to
occur at the same time.
Conduction
CONDUCTION-transfer of thermal energy by direct
contact of particles of matter

❖conDuction = Direct contact.

❖The thermal energy moves from a warmer substance to
a cooler substance.

❖Kinetic energy is transferred when faster-moving

atoms collide with slower-moving particles.
❖When thermal energy is transferred by conduction, it is
transferred by the collisions between particles, not by
the movement of matter.
❖Examples of Conduction
⮚ A metal spoon placed in a hot drink
⮚ Fry an egg in a skillet
⮚ Ironing clothes
⮚ Curling hair with
a curling iron
Convection
CONVECTION-the transfer of thermal energy by the
actual motion of a liquid or gas in the form of currents

Convection Currents
Convection Currents
in a Liquid
in a Gas
Convection
Solids
❖The attractive forces between
the particles of a solid are
strong. The particles are not free
to move around. When a solid is
heated, the particles begin to
vibrate in place very quickly, but
they are not free to move
around.
Liquids
❖The attractive forces are not
as strong as in a solid. The
particles cling together and
slide past each other.
❖When a liquid is heated, it
expands because of the
mobility of the particles.
Gases
❖The attractive forces are
weaker than in a solid or a
liquid.
❖The particles no longer cling
together and are much further
apart than in a liquid or solid.
❖When a gas is heated,
the molecules get
further apart. As a
result, the gas expands.
❖This is why hot air rises.
⮚ As the temperature of the air in a
hot air balloon increases, and the
air expands. This causes the hot
air balloon to rise.

⮚ Heated air rises

in a home.
❖This is why a heated liquid rises.
Side Note
If hot air rises, why are higher elevations colder?
Answer:
✔ As you go up a mountain, the air pressure decreases.
✔ Gay-Lussac’s Gas Law: P = kT
✔ As pressure decreases, temperature decreases.
❖Convection = Current

❖Convection currents only take place in liquids and

gases.
❖What causes convection currents?
⮚ Molecules expand when heated.
⮚ The liquid or gas becomes less dense and rises.
⮚ Molecules cool because they are further from the
heat source.
⮚ The liquid or gas becomes less dense and sinks.
⮚ Molecules are heated and the cycle continues.
❖During convection, thermal
energy is transferred by the
mass motion of molecules.
Examples of Convection

❖A pan of boiling water.

❖A hot air balloon rises.

❖The air circulating in a
house due to a radiator.

❖Molten rock
inside Earth
❖Air in the atmosphere.
RADIATION-transfer of thermal energy by means of
electromagnetic waves
❖Radiation = Waves
❖All objects emit radiant energy. The
temperature of an object determines
what type electromagnetic waves it
emits.
More Information About Objects Emitting Radiant Energy
❖Radiant Energy Does Not Require a Medium (i.e. solid,
liquid, or gas)

⮚ Radiant energy does not require a medium. This type

of thermal energy can travel through matter. It can
also travel in places where matter does not exist,
such as through the vacuum of space.
⮚ Thermal energy transferred by conduction and
convection requires a medium, such as air, water, etc.

Convection Conduction
❖We can say “All objects emit radiation.” This means
“All objects emit radiant energy.”
❖Radiation is different from conduction and convection
in that it does NOT require matter to transfer thermal
energy.

Radiant Energy Traveling Radiant Energy Traveling

Through a Medium (Air) Without a Medium
❖When radiation strikes a material, some energy is
absorbed, some is reflected, and some may be
transmitted through the material. This is true of
sunlight.
⮚ Light-colored materials reflect more radiant energy.
⮚ Dark-colored materials absorb more radiant energy.
❖Examples of Radiation
⮚ The Sun’s energy reaches Earth by radiation
⮚ Heat energy from a fire reaches your body by
radiation
Controlling the Flow of Thermal Energy
The Flow of Thermal Energy
❖We know that thermal energy (or heat
energy) flows from a warmer
substance to a cooler substance.
❖Sometimes we want a material to
allow the flow thermal energy

❖At other times, we want a material to

stop the flow of thermal energy.
THERMAL CONDUCTOR-a material in which
thermal energy is transferred easily

❖Thermal means heat.

❖Solids are usually better thermal conductors that
liquids or gases because their particles are packed
closely together.
❖The best thermal conductors are metals.
Thermal Insulators
THERMAL INSULATOR-a material in which thermal
energy moves slowly
❖Materials that are good thermal conductors make
poor thermal insulators. Metals are poor thermal
insulators.
❖Gases, such as air, are usually much better thermal
insulators than solids or liquids because there particles
are spread far apart.
⮚ Many insulators work by trapping air.
❖Examples
⮚ air
⮚ fiberglass
⮚ wood
 ⮚ bulky coats

⮚ styrofoam

⮚ double pane windows