1

2

Absorbers - take in the energy

Reflectors - reflect the energy

Examples: Dark objects like black t-shirts and roof tops

Examples: Shiny materials, mirrors, and aluminum foil

3

• Transfer of thermal energy by direct contact

• Always from a solid hot object to a solid cold object

• Takes place in solid, liquid or gases

• Example: A metal spoon inside a saucepan gets hot while a saucepan is getting heated.

If you were the chef in this picture and had to stir the contents for 20 minutes non-stop while on high heat – which

type of spoon would you want to use?

4

Conductors transfer heat easily

In order for conduction to occur, there has to be a conductor.

The more tightly packed the particles of the conductor, the better it is

Most often Metals-metal spoon, metal pan, copper, iron, steel, silver

5

The opposite of a conductor is an insulator.

Does NOT allow heat to move easily through

Most often wood, plastic, glass, fiberglass, air, Styrofoam, and double pane windows that is air between 2 panes of glass

R-value - rates insulation for houses

higher number the better

R-1 R-16 R-20

6

• Transfer of thermal energy in fluids – anything that flows

• Always between liquids and gases

• Example: hot air balloon, wind, ocean & air currents, home heating, all the soup in a pot becoming warm

• warmer fluids (less dense) rise, buoyant convection

• cooler fluids (more dense) sink

• wearing sweater keeps the heat from being taken away

from the body

7

• Transfer of thermal energy through waves.• Electromagnetic waves-light, ultraviolet rays, x-rays,

infrared rays • Travels though gas and no air (vacuum) (outer space)• Colors reflect waves differently.

• Black absorbs, White reflects • Example: sun’s energy, microwaves and radio waves

infrared light bulbs, person warmed by a fire.