internal energy that an object has because of the random motions of its individual molecules
thermal energy
3 factors affecting thermal energy
temperature, state, mass
no thermal energy is transferred between objects because they are the same temperature
thermal equilibrium
transfer of thermal energy from an object of higher temperature to an object of lower temperature
heat
the amount of heat needed to change the temperature of an object by a certain amount
heat capacity
ratio of an object’s heat capacity to its mass
specific heat
a device designed to measure the heat involved in physical and chemical changes
calorimeter
a device that automatically regulates temperature
thermostat
a device with 2 metal strips that are bonded together that bends in response to temperature changes
bimetallic strap
transfer of a property like thermal energy (heat) or electric charge through direct contact
conduction
a transfer of heat by moving fluids
convection
a transfer of heat without matter as radiant energy
radiation
a type of double-walled container designed to minimize the transfer of heat
Dewar flask
branch of physics that deals with thermal energy, heat, and their relationships to other forms of energy and energy transfer
thermodynamics
matter or portion of the universe being studied
system
the entire universe except the system
surroundings
the relationship between mechanical energy and heat
mechanical equivalent of heat
states that the energy gained (or lost) by a system is = to the energy lost (or gained) by its surroundings
first law of thermodynamics
states that natural processes tend to go only 1 way toward less usable energy and greater disorder; implies that the universe is not improving but is instead running down
second law of thermodynamics
measure of the amount of disorder in the system
entropy
home-heating system in which water is heated by a boiler and pumped to radiators, which warm the air in the room through convection
hot water heating system
home-heating system that warms air with a furnace and uses a blower or fan to circulate air through a network of ducts
forced warm air system
