Conduction

conduction,
transfer of heat or electricity through a substance, resulting from a difference in temperature between different parts of the substance, in the case of heat, or from a difference in electric potential, in the case of electricity. Since heat is energy associated with the motions of the particles making up the substance, it is transferred by such motions, shifting from regions of higher temperature, where the particles are more energetic, to regions of lower temperature. The rate of heat flow between two regions is proportional to the temperature difference between them and the heat conductivity of the substance. In solids, the molecules themselves are bound and contribute to conduction of heat mainly by vibrating against neighboring molecules; a more important mechanism, however, is the migration of energetic free electrons through the solid. Metals, which have a high free-electron density, are good conductors of heat, while nonmetals, such as wood or glass, have few free electrons and do not conduct as well. Especially poor conductors, such as asbestos, have been used as insulators to impede heat flow (see insulation). Liquids and gases have their molecules farther apart and are generally poor conductors of heat. Conduction of electricity consists of the flow of charges as a result of an electromotive force, or potential difference. The rate of flow, i.e., the electric current, is proportional to the potential difference and to the electrical conductivity of the substance, which in turn depends on the nature of the substance, its cross-sectional area, and its temperature. In solids, electric current consists of a flow of electrons; as in the case of heat conduction, metals are better conductors of electricity because of their greater free-electron density, while nonmetals, such as rubber, are poor conductors and may be used as electrical insulators, or dielectrics. Increasing the cross-sectional area of a given conductor will increase the current because more electrons will be available for conduction. Increasing the temperature will inhibit conduction in a metal because the increased thermal motions of the electrons will tend to interfere with their regular flow in an electric current; in a nonmetal, however, an increase in temperature improves conduction because it frees more electrons. In liquids and gases, current consists not only in the flow of electrons but also in that of ions. A highly ionized liquid solution, e.g., saltwater, is a good conductor. Gases at high temperatures tend to become ionized and thus become good conductors, although at ordinary temperatures they tend to be poor conductors.



Heat Transfer

Objectives:

1. Describe how heat energy causes molecules to move.

2. List examples of heat energy transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation.

Notes:

Heat:

Heat energy is created due to the internal motion of molecules in a substance. Heat can more correctly be explained as the amount of kinetic energy in a substance. Therefore, the amount of heat in a substance depends on the mass of the object. Heat transfer is defined as the movement of heat from a warmer substance to a cooler one. This is technically known as moving down a temperature gradient. There are three types of heat transfer.

A. Conduction

Transferred by direct contact of molecules
Molecules in hot substances move fast
Collide with cooler, slower molecules and transfer energy

· Conductors – transfer heat well (metals: silver, copper, aluminum, iron)

· Insulators – bad conductors of heat (nonmetals: glass, wood, rubber, & plastics)

B. Convection

Liquids & gases
The molecules in heated gas or liquid move farther apart and become less dense.
The less dense gas of liquid rises
Created a circular current

C. Radiation
Heat transferred through empty space via infrared radiation

Measuring Heat

Can measure temperature not heat
Unit is the calorie (cal) or joule (J)
1cal = 4.19J
a cal is the amount of heat needed to raise 1g of water 1 degree

The specific heat of a substance is the amount of heat (cal) needed to raise a substance 1oC .

Can be used to calculate the amount of heat gained or lost by a substance

measured using a bomb calorimeter

Is the ability of a substance to absorb heat

High specific heat – slow to heat up and slow to cool down (& visa versa)
Can be measured using a calorimeter Mass · DT · Specific heat



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