THERMAL ENERGY TRANSFER

Conduction
Conduction is defined as the flow of heat through matter from places of higher temperature to
lower temperature without the movement of the matter as as whole

Two processes occur in conduction:

Metals have a large amount of free electrons in their atoms. Therefore, when one part of a metal
is heated, the electrons here move faster(ie. posses more kinetic energy) and farther. As a result
they collide with atoms in the cooler part of the metal and hence, transferring energy and raising
the temperature of the cooler part of the metal.
The second process usually occurs in non-metals, however it can also occur in metals. In the
atoms of the material, the heated part causes lattice vibration of the colder neighbouring atoms.

Convection

Convection is defined as the flow of heat through a fluid (liquid or gas) from places of higher
temperature to lower temperature by the movement of the fluid itself.

Convection in liquids are seen in the hot water system and central heating system.However,
convection in air is visible by black marks which appear on the wall or ceiling above a lamp or
radiator. Another example of convection occurs with natural convection currents(coastal breezes)
For example, during the day the temperature of land increases more quickly than that of the sea
because land has a smaller specific heat capacity of the sea. The hot air above the land rises and
is replaced by the colder air from the sea. At night the opposite happens.

Radiation

Radiation is the flow of heat from one place to another by the means of electromagnetic waves.

Radiation is emitted by all bodies above absolute zero and consists mostly of infrared radiation.
Some surfaces absurd heat better than others. Dull black surfaces are great absorbers of radiation.
Therefore, most buildings are painted white and people usually wear lighter colours during the
summer. White shiny objects are good reflectors of radiation.
Polished tea pots and kettles are poor emitters of radiation and hence they keep their heat longer.
In general, surfaces which are good absorbers of radiation are good emitters of heat when hot.
Vacuum Flask
A vacuum flask keeps cold substances cold and hot substances hot. This is because it is made of
a double-walled glass with a vacuum in between the walls. This was convection and conduction is
reduced as air is a poor conductor of heat. Additionally, the walls are silvered, there heat from
radiation is not absorbed but it is reflected instead.