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Thermal Physics
Quick questions on Transfer of thermal energy: N(A)-Level Physics thermal
4short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is conduction?Show answer
Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through a material without the material itself moving. When one end of a solid is heated, its particles vibrate more and pass the energy on to neighbouring particles.
What is convection?Show answer
Convection is the transfer of thermal energy by the movement of a heated fluid (a liquid or a gas). When a fluid is heated:
What is radiation?Show answer
Radiation (thermal radiation, a form of infrared) is the transfer of thermal energy as waves. It needs no particles, so it is the only way energy reaches us from the Sun across the vacuum of space.
What is controlling heat transfer?Show answer
To keep something warm or cool, we reduce all three transfers. A vacuum flask is the classic example, reducing every method at once.
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