7.3 HEAT FLOW.

1. Heat energy travels from one place to another as a result of differences in

temperature.
2. When two objects are brought into contact, heat energy will flow from a
hotter object to a cooler object.
3. As a result, the temperature of cooler object rises, while that of the hotter
object falls.
4. The flow of heat energy will stop when the objects in contact have reached
the same temperature.
5. The rate of heat transfer depends on the difference in temperatures between
two objects. The greater the difference in temperature, the faster rate of
heat flow.
6. Heat is transferred in three different ways:

A. CONDUCTION
1. Conduction is the transfer of heat energy through solids.
2. The particles in the medium do not flow.
3. Heat is transferred from the hotter end of the object to the cooler end by the
vibration of
particles in the object.

4. Different materials conduct heat at different rates.

5. Generally, metal such as copper, iron, aluminium and silver are good conductors
of heat.
6. Non-metal such as wood, glass plastics and rubber are poor conductors and are
called
insulators of heat.

The thumbtack that is stuck to the

copper
rod drop first. This
is followed, in order, by
the thumbtack stuck to
aluminium rod, iron
rod and glass rod.
This is because different materials
conduct

heat at different rates.

B. CONVECTION
1. Convection is the transfer of heat from one part of a fluid (substances which
can flow) to another by the circulating movement of the heated fluid.
2. Liquid and gases are fluids.
3. This circulating movement is called a convection.

C.
RADIATION
1. Radiation is a process of heat transfer that does not require a medium.
2. Radiation can take place in a vacuum.
3. Properties of radiant heat:
i.
Travels as electromagnetic waves.
ii.
Travel at the speed of light
iii.
Travels in straight line
iv.
Travel through vacuum
v.
Can be absorbed or reflected.
4. The heat from the Sun is transferred to the Earth by radiation.

HEAT FLOW IN NATURAL PHENOMENA

A. SEA BREEZE
1. During day time, both land and sea absorb heat from the Sun. However, the
land gets heated up faster than the sea.
2. As a result, the air on land becomes less dense and rises.
3. The cooler air over the sea which is denser moves toward the land. This
movement is called sea breeze.

B. LAND BREEZE
1. At night, the land cools faster than the sea.
2. The sea becomes warmer than the land. The hot air above the sea less
dense and rises.
3. Cool air from the land moves in to take its place.
4. This movement of air is called land breeze.

C. THE WARMING OF THE EARTH BY THE SUN

1. The Earth and the Sun is separated by vacuum.
2. The heat from the Sun travels as energy waves called infrared.
3. The infrared waves travel through vacuum in space to reach the Earth by
radiation.
4. The Earth and its atmosphere are warmed by radiation.
HEAT CONDUCTORS AND HEAT INSULATORS
CONDUCTORS
1. A heat conductor is a substance that allows heat to move through it easily.
2. Metals are good conductors of heat.
3. Examples: mercury, silver, copper, aluminium, zinc, iron and lead.
INSULATORS
1. An insulator is a substance does not conduct heat easily.
2. Insulator also called poor conductors of heat.
3. Generally, non-metals are good insulators.
4. Examples: air, cork, water, glass, cotton, plastic, rubber, wood and
polystyrene.
THE USES OF CONDUCTORS AND INSULATORS OF HEAT