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The transfer of heat energy normally occurs from higher temperature to lower temperature. Heat transfer
changes the internal energy of both systems involved.
Heat energy is transferred from one place to the next by three mechanisms:
Conduction
Convection
Radiation
CONDUCTION
Conduction always occurs in solids. It is the heat transfer by means
of faster molecular motion within a material without any shift of
the material as a whole.
The particles that are heated will vibrate.
Vibration is passed on from one particle to the next.
Conduction in metals
The electrons in a piece of metal can leave their atoms and move about in the metal as free electrons. The
parts of the metal atoms left behind are now positively charged metal ions.
The ions are packed closely together and they vibrate continually. The hotter the metal, the more kinetic
energy these vibrations have. This kinetic energy is transferred from hot parts of the metal to cooler parts by
the free electrons.
These move through the structure of the metal, colliding with ions as they go.
Conductors vs Insulators
Metals are good conductors of heat. On touching a metal, the heat from one’s hand is conducting away thus
giving a cold sensation.
Insulators are poor conductors of heat, for example plastic, wood, air and water.
Experiment to Demonstrate the Difference in Conduction of Metals
CONVECTION
This is the transfer of heat energy via the bulk movement of a fluid from one area to another. This
movement is brought about by changes in density of the medium.
Fluids expand when they are heated (particles move faster and take up more space).
The hot fluid in is less dense than cold fluid, so it rises.
The denser cold fluid sinks and replaces the hot fluids.
In this way, convection currents are set up.
Land and Sea Breezes
RADIATION
Radiation is the heat transfer without the presence of any medium that is it can occur in vacuum. Heat flows
from one place to another by means of electromagnetic waves, mostly of infrared type. When an object emits
infrared rays, it loses heat energy. When an object absorbs infrared rays, it gains heat energy.
Good and bad absorbers and emitters:
All bodies emit or absorb radiation. However
Dull black surfaces are better absorbers of radiation than white and shiny surfaces.
Dull black surfaces are better emitter of radiation than the shiny one.
Larger the surface area, the greater the degree of heat absorption and emission
or convection.
Outline which feature of the solar water heating system shown demonstrates EACH of the following thermal
energy principles:
a) Good absorption of heat
b) Heat transfer by convection
c) The greenhouse effect
d) Good heat transfer by conduction
e) Reduction of heat transfer by conduction (5marks)
EXPANSION
All matter expands when heated because of the increase in the vibration of the molecules. Solids expand the
least and liquid expand more than solid.
A strong steel bar is fixed in the frame of the apparatus by a large nut at
one end a cast iron peg at the other. When the bar is heated the peg
breaks because of the huge force in the bar.
It is also possible to make the peg break when the bar contracts on
cooling by tightening the nut when the bar expands.
Examples of expansion:
1) Mercury in a thermometer expands as temperature rises.
2) In the kitchen, tight metal lids can be opened by immersing the lid in hot water so that it expands.
3) The water level rises behind a dam on hot days
4) Gaps are left between railways tracks due to expansion on hot days.
5) Axles can be shrink-fitted onto the gears of wheels by cooling the axles in liquid nitrogen at -196 oC.
Bimetallic Strips
A bimetallic strip is made using two strips of different metals that are either welded or riveted together.
When the bimetallic strip is cold, it is straight. When it is heated, the bimetallic strip is curved because the
different metals expand by different amounts. It is mostly used in fire alarms and thermostats.
1) Jan 2004 3d
A bimetallic strip may be used to make Christmas lights switch on and off repeatedly. A schematic of such an
arrangement is shown in the figure.
2)
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