Thermal Energy

A material that is naturally cold.

A material that is a poor conductor of heat.

A material that is a good conductor of heat.

A material that is naturally hot.

During the day, solar radiation warms the ground and water, which then heat up the air touching them.

Global ocean circulation also distributes thermal energy around Earth.

Greenhouse gases trap some thermal energy in the atmosphere.

Mantle convection carries thermal energy from Earth's interior to its surface and drives plate tectonics, causing phenomena like earthquakes and volcanoes.

You forgot to take of your sweater, duh.

Thermal energy radiates from a campfire.

The marshmallow held near the fire also gains thermal energy from radiation.

You were snuggling with your boih or gurl.

Metal is a good conductor of thermal energy. It would quickly become too hot to hold and burn the marshmallow.

The marshmallow held near the fire gains thermal energy from radiation, which toasts the marshmallow.

As the air around the campfire is heated and becomes less dense, it rises and moves upward, creating a convection current that transfers heat.

The warmth you feel when sitting near a campfire is primarily from the transfer of thermal energy by radiation.

A short and poor conductor of thermal energy like a wooden twig.

A long and good conductor of thermal energy like a metal rod.

A short and good conductor of thermal energy like a metal fork.

A long and poor conductor of thermal energy like a wooden stick.

A metal rod would not be a good choice for roasting marshmallows because metal is a good conductor of thermal energy. It would quickly become too hot to hold!

As the air around the campfire is heated and becomes less dense, it rises and moves upward, creating a convection current that transfers heat.

The marshmallow held near the fire also gains thermal energy from radiation, which toasts the marshmallow.

A metal rod would not be a good choice for roasting marshmallows because metal is a good conductor of thermal energy. It would quickly become too hot to hold!

A fan increases the flow of air in a room and can help increase the transfer of thermal energy from your body to the air. Moving air increases the rate of heat loss from the evaporation of sweat.

You might prefer standing on a tile floor rather than a rug. Tile is a better conductor of thermal energy, so it’s easier for heat to flow from your feet into the tile. This conduction makes the tile feel cool.

You may prefer to be on the ground floor rather than upstairs, because warm air rises through convection. Where the air is cooler downstairs, more thermal energy will transfer from your body to the air.

Radiation from the Sun transfers thermal energy to a person standing in sunlight.

When your body is too hot, it increases blood flow to your skin, where heat loss occurs. Moving air increases the rate of heat loss from the evaporation of sweat.

Tile is a better conductor of thermal energy, so it’s easier for heat to flow from your feet into the tile. This conduction makes the tile feel cool.

Radiation from the Sun transfers thermal energy to a person standing in sunlight.

Where the air is cooler downstairs, more thermal energy will transfer from your body to the air.

Staying in shady areas can help keep you cooler on a hot day.

Conduction takes place at your skin’s surface, as thermal energy is transferred from your body to the air or anything in contact with your skin.

When your body is too hot, it increases blood flow to your skin, where heat loss occurs.

Your body also loses thermal energy to the environment by radiation.