Conduction

 describe how to distinguish between

good and bad conductors of heat.

 describe, in terms of the movement of

molecules or free electrons, how heat
transfer occurs in solids.
Conduction (in terms of molecules)
a. Molecules in solids are very close together, in fixed positions.
b. When one end of a solid is heated, the kinetic energy of the
molecules at this end increases and the molecules vibrate faster.
c. These molecules collide with the neighboring molecules and
transfer some of their heat energy to them. This causes them to
vibrate faster too.
d. This process is repeated until the molecules of the solid at
the other end vibrate faster too.
e. The transfer of heat from one molecule to another by
collision from the hot end to the cold end is called conduction.
Conduction
Effects of conduction - fridge
Effects - cars
Bad Conductors
Convection
RADIATION
1. This is the method of heat
transfer from one place to
another by means of
electromagnetic waves.
2. The heat energy is in the form of
infrared waves. Heat in this
form is called radiant heat.
Heat transfer by radiation does not need
particles. No particle is needed.

It can occur in a vacuum. Therefore a vacuum

can stop conduction and convection but it
cannot stop heat transfer by radiation.

Any object emits heat energy in the form of

radiant heat or heat radiation. It also absorbs
radiant heat from its surroundings
Examples of radiation
4. If the temperature of an object is higher
than that of its surroundings, it is a net
emitter of radiation. It emits more heat
than it absorbs. In the process, the
temperature decreases. It becomes
cooler.
If the temperature of an object is lower
than that of its surroundings. It is a net
absorber of radiation. It absorbs more
heat than it emits. It becomes hotter.
Its temperature increases.
Explanation:
The heat radiation from the heater reaches the plate by
radiation
Both plates absorb heat radiation which melts the wax.
The plate which absorbs more heat radiation would melt the
wax first.

Conclusion:
A dull black surface is a better absorber of heat radiation
than a shiny white surface.
Explanation
The heat from the cans is lost to the
surroundings by radiation.
Both cans emit heat which lowers the
temperature.
The can which emits more heat would
show a lower temperature.
A black surface is a better emitter of
heat than a polished surface.
 Conclusion
A dull black surface is a good absorber and good
emitter of heat radiation, meaning that it warms
fast and cools fast.
A shiny white surface is a poor absorber and

poor emitter of heat radiation, meaning it warms

slowly and cools slowly.
When radiation falls on an object, it is
either absorbed or reflected.
A good absorber of heat is a poor reflector
of heat radiation.
A poor absorber of heat is a good reflector
of heat radiation.
Heat Transfer in everyday life
Heat transfer to and from buildings result in
large amount of energy being used to either
cool down or warm up the buildings.
With good insulation, buildings should :
- Lose less heat to surroundings and keep
warm during winter
- Absorb less heat from surroundings and
keep cool in summer
Heat Loss In a house
Methods of insulation – 1.buildings
A. WALLS
 Most heat transfer between a building and its surroundings is
through its walls.
 Buildings have cavity walls (an air space between two layers of
walls)
bad conductor of heat so it reduces heat transfer by
 Air is a

conduction.
 Sometimes plastic foam is injected to these air spaces.

move.
 Plastic foam traps air and the air cannot

 This reduces heat transfer by conduction and

convection.
WALLS
Walls are painted white to reduce heat transfer by
radiation.
Methods of insulation (buildings)
B. ROOFS.
 Ceilings create air space between rooms and roofs. Air
is a bad conductor. So celings help reduce heat transfer
by conduction and convection.
 Insulating materials such as wool, glass wool, foam,
felt laid between the rafters reduce heat transfer by
conduction.
 Shiny material with its shiny surface facing
upwards.why?
 To reflect back heat radiation absorbed from roof.
Methods of insulation (buildings)
WINDOWS
Double-glazed windows trap air between 2
layers of glass.
Air is used as an insulator to reduce heat
transfer by conduction.
Insulation
 2. Hot water supply system
Hot water from the hot water cylinder loses heat to
the surroundings by all 3 methods.

1. From hot water inside the cylinder to outside by

conduction.

2. From the outside of cylinder to surroundings by

convection and radiation.
 To reduce heat loss, the hot water cylinder, the
pipes leading to the hot water taps and pipe A
are:-
1. Made using plastic pipes
2. Insulated by wrapping and insulating materials
such as foam or felt
3. Painted white colour
3. ENGINE
In running, engine of a motorcycle can get
very hot
To help losing heat, it is fitted wth cooling
fins.
a. They are made of metal because they can
conduct heat from the engine to the
surroundings very well.
b. They are painted black because black
surface is a good emitter of heat
radiation.
Vacuum Flask
4. Thermos flask (Vacuum flask)
A vacuum flask keeps hot liquids hot and cold liquids
cold
It has 4 main structures which help to reduce heat
transfer:
1. Vacuum – stops heat transfer by conduction and
convection
2. Cork stopper – reduces heat transfer by conduction
and convection
3. Double walled glass vessel – reduces heat transfer by
conduction
4. Silvering – reduces heat transfer by radiation
5. Solar water heater

The pipe is painted black because black is

a good absorber of heat.

The pipe is made of metal bacause metal

conducts heat quickly from the outside of
the pipe to the water inside.
Daily applications of thermal transfer
Why do birds fluff their feathers in cold
weather?
Why use sawdust to cover ice blocks?

Why wrap a potato in aluminium foil

before putting it in the BBQ?
Why are spacesuits and firefighting suits
covered with a shiny metallic surface
 Question 1

1. Figure 10.23 shows a household electric

kettle. Explain why the kettle has a
polished surface.
2. What is the reason for placing the heating
coil at the bottom of the kettle.
3. Most kettles have plastic handles. Why?
 Question 2
A solar panel converts electromagnetic radiation from sun
to heat energy of water. It is fitted to the roof shown in
cross section.
1. What is the name of this type of
electromagnetic radiation?
2. One of the surfaces, X or Y, is painted
dull black and another is covered in
aluminium foil.
a. State which of the surfaces, X or Y is
painted dull black. Give a reason for
your choice.
b. Why is the front sheet made of glass?
Explain how it achieves its purpose.
Question 3
Fig 10.33 shows a method, sometimes used during
camping, to keep food warm overnight. In the evening,
food is heated in the metal pot and placed in a wooden
box surrounded by loosely packed hay. The next
morning, when the metal pot is removed, food is still
warm.
Explain how loosely packed hay
reduces heat loss from food.
State with a reason what is likely to
happen if the hay is tightly packed.
Answer to 1
1. So that the hot water in the kettle stays hot
longer. Polished surfaces are bad emitter of
heat.
2. To set up the convection currents. Heating
element heat water molecules. Water molecules
expands, becomes less dense and rises. The
cold, denser molecules starts to sink.
3. Plastic is a bad conductor of heat. Allows us to
hold the kettle safely.
Answer to 2
1. Infrared radiation
2. Surface X. Dull Black is a good
absorber of heat. It will heat the water
pipes faster.
3. Glass magnifies radiation coming
from the sun to heat the water pipes
faster.
Answer to 3
Loosely pack hay will trap air around
the metal pot. Air is a bad conductor of
heat. Food stays warmer for longer.
If hay is tightly pack, there is little air
trapped between the hay. Heat loss will
be faster.