Heat Vocabulary

INSULATOR

material in which thermal energy doesn’t move

easily

Examples: A glove used to take

something out of the oven. Heat

doesn’t transfer so you don’t get burnt

CONDUCTION

movement of thermal energy from one object

to another where they

touch

Examples: Rubbing your

hands together, touching a hot

stove

CONDUCTOR

material in which thermal energy moves easily

Example: A pot is a good

conductor. It heats the pot and

cooks the food

CONVECTION

the movement of thermal energy

from one place to another in

moving liquids, gases

Example: Sticking your hand in a hot

bath will warm up your hand

ENERGY

the ability to cause

change

Example: It requires energy to move a desk (to

change locations) energy is used to tear paper, etc

FRICTION

force between 2 moving objects that makes it

hard for objects to move

HEAT

the movement of thermal

energy from one place to

another

RADIATION

the movement of thermal energy

without any objects touching

or moving

EX: The heat we get from the sun w/o touching it, warmth from

standing near a fire

Temperature

Measure of how hot or cold something

is

The temperature was 55 degrees Fahrenheit or

Celsius

Thermal Energy

Energy that moves

particles in matter

Let’s review some basics about heat

How does heat more or

transfer?

From warmer things to cooler. Hot

Chocolate heats the cooler cup.

Person and a warm bath.

How does heat transfer?

From the bath to the person

A hot stove and a cold pot.

How does heat transfer?

From the hot oven to the

cold pot

What tool do we use to measure

temperature?

Thermometer

Name some sources of heat

Sun, stove, fire, matches, heater,

When stirring your soup what type of spoon will conduct

heat the best…wooden, metal, or

plastic

metal

What is an insulator?

Material that keeps heat in

Example: A hat keeps heat from escaping head, a

blanket keeps heat in