HEAT TRANSFER

Conduction Convection Radiation

in solids in liquids in solids
in gases Fluids in liquids
in gases
in vacuum

Heat always moves from where it is more concentrated (where there is too much heat) to where it is less concentrated (to
where there is less heat)
A common example is the sun.
The sun has too much heat energy. This heat moves from the sun down to the earth which does not have too much heat.

1. CONDUCTION

This mode of heat transfer occurs in solids (mainly metals).

Heat travels through a substance without particles of that substance moving.

Q1. How does conduction occur?

https://youtu.be/0v_1lleI1Dg

Even though conduction occurs in solids, some solids do not conduct heat at all (insulators).

Q2. With the aid of a diagram, show how you can demonstrate that some solids conduct heat
(conductors) and others do not (insulators).

Observation:

Conclusion:

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Q3. Metals are good conductors of heat.

a) What makes them to be good conductors of heat?

b) What experiment can you design to show that certain metals are better conductors of heat
than other metals?

https://youtu.be/akeb2d7hQ-A

Observation:

Conclusion:

Q4. Define conduction

hot cold

Solid heated

Solid particles

Heat source

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 2. CONVECTION

This type of heat transfer occurs in fluids.

Q5. What is a fluid?

Q6. How can you demonstrate that heat is transferred by means of convection in liquids?

https://youtu.be/sPLV4OOq6Uo

https://youtu.be/MBFUfld_5i0

Observation:

Q7. How are convection currents formed?

Q8. What is the role of the potassium per-manganate in your experiment above?

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Q9. How can you show that convection occurs in gases?

https://youtu.be/ENXXlMyF6kE

Observation:

(a) How are convection currents formed in the set up above?

(b) What will happen if the lighted touch paper is held above the end of the chimney with the
candle?

(c) What is the purpose of the smoke in the experiment?

Q10. Define convection

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Q11. State two differences between conduction and convection

Conduction Convection

Q12. Describe an experiment that you can design to show that liquids are poor conductors of
heat.

https://youtu.be/L3zN0wYWJgQ

Observation

Conclusion:

3. RADIATION

This is heat transfer by means of electromagnetic waves.

Remember that:
• for conduction to occur, a solid is required
• for convection to occur, a fluid is required
• Radiation can occur in solid, in liquids, in gases and even in vacuum.

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Heat from the sun reaches the earth by means of radiation. It cannot travel by conduction and
convection.

Sun

Infra red radiation from the sun

Outer space (vacuum)

Atmosphere (air etc)

Earth surface

Q13. Why does heat not come down to the earth by means of:

a) Convection

b) Conduction

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Q14. Design an experiment to show that certain colours are better absorbers of heat than others.

Observation:

Conclusion:

Q15. What is meant by to emit heat?

Q16. Design an experiment to show that certain colours are better emitters of heat than others.

https://youtu.be/trmarDJi0hw

Observation:

Conclusion:

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 APPLICATIONS OF HEAT TRANSFER
1. Thermo-flask
A thermo-flask is commonly used to keep hot tea hot for a long time.
This means the flask does not easily lose heat by conduction, convection or even radiation.

https://youtu.be/mT4qZA3BAjI

Q16. How does the flask prevent heat loss by:

a) Conduction?

b) Convection?

c) Radiation?

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Q17: Would the flask keep cold drink cold for a long time if it is poured in it? Explain your
answer.

2. A house built with cavity walls, double glazed windows and lagged roofing.

This house will remain warm when it is cold outside, and it will remain cool when it is hot
outside.

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How?

When it is hot outside

When it is cold outside

Q18. Explain why duvet/blanket keeps you warmer better when it is clean.

Q19. How do birds keep warm in winter?

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 3. Car cooling system:

https://youtu.be/sRHDsEyEQ2M

Think about how a refrigerator loses heat in order for it to stay cold.

https://youtu.be/EIP3pSio7-M

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In a water geyser, cold water enters at the bottom and hot water comes out at the top.

CONSEQUENCES OF THERMAL EXPANSION

1 (a) Sea breeze

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 b) Land breeze

2. Cold nights and hot days in deserts

In places where there is no or close to no vegetation such as in deserts, the nights are very cold
and the afternoons are very hot.
In other words, when it is cold it becomes very cold and when it is hot, it becomes very hot.

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 4. Green house

In very cold climates, it is very cold (maybe an average temperature of 5ºC is normal). These low
temperatures are too low for plants to grow but people who live there need to grow some plants
just like us.

People in these areas can use green houses to grow plants.

How does the green house work?

Have you noticed that cars can act like green houses when left in direct sunlight?

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 5. Greenhouse effect/ Global warming

https://youtu.be/SN5-DnOHQmE

https://youtu.be/7IwPFXzLH8c

Temperature of the earth is constantly rising due to human activities similar to the effect of green
house and this has brought too much heat to the world.

What is causing the rise in temperature?

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What are the likely outcomes of this rise in temperature?
Our planet is already suffering from the impacts of this global warming.

➢ Summers in countries like Botswana are now very hot resulting in high rates of
evaporation leading to droughts.
➢ Ice at the poles of the earth might start melting hence increase sea levels. This could
jeopardise countries which are already below sea level.
➢ There might be excessive rainfall in other parts of the world and other parts of the world
may receive far less rainfall than usual ( e.g it is feared that Amazon rain forest in Brazil
might receive very little rainfall resulting in huge disturbances to its rich ecosystem)

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