HEAT ENERGY

Heat energy is the result of the

movement of tiny particles called atoms,
molecules or ions in solids, liquids and
gases. Heat energy can be transferred
from one object to another, and the
transfer or flow due to the difference in
temperature between the two objects is
called heat.
Examples of Heat Energy:
1. A cup of fresh coffee is very hot
because the water particles are
vibrating very rapidly giving the
coffee heat energy.
2. A popsicle has particles vibrating
very slowly so there is a small
amount of heat energy and the
popsicle is cold.
 Sources of Heat
1. Sun
2. Earth’s interior
Other Sources of Heat
a. Resistance
 Is the property of conductors
that blocks the passage of
electric current.
b. Nuclear Reaction
 Is the combining of nuclei of
light atoms to form heavier
nuclei that release much energy
or the splitting of nucleus.
c. Friction
 Force that opposes motion and
compresses materials that generate
heat energy.
 Three ways of
transferring heat
energy
Conduction transfer heat energy
through one substance to another when
they are in direct contact. The moving
molecules of a warm material can
increase the energy of the molecules in
a cooler material. Since particles are
closer together, solids conduct heat
better than liquids or gases.
Example:
When we placed one end of an iron
rod in fire, the other end also heated.
Convection transfer heat energy
through the air (and liquids). As the
air heats up, the particles move
further apart and become less dense,
which causes the air to rise. Cooler
air below moves in and heats up,
creating a circular motion. The warm
air circles and heats the room.
Example:
 Heated water in the pots expands and becomes less
dense.

 The warmer water will then rises while the cooler and
denser water near the surface descends.

 Convection currents are formed.

Radiation is the heat that we feel
coming from a hot object. It warms
the air using heat waves (infrared
waves) that radiate out from the hot
object in all directions until it is
absorbed by other objects. Transfer of
heat by radiation travels at the speed
of light and goes great distances.
When you stand outdoors during a sunny
day, you feel the sun warm your skin. How
does the sun warm Earth’s surface? It does
so through radiation since there is mostly
empty space between the sun and Earth.
However, the sun’s energy travels to Earth
through electromagnetic waves. The
process of transferring energy through
space by means of electromagnetic waves it
called radiation.