Understanding Heat Transfer, Conduction, Convection and Radiation

First, What is Temperature?

A Measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in an object.

Low Temperature

High Temperature

Forms of Heat Transfer in Earths Systems

Radiation
Conduction

Convection

What is Heat?
The energy transferred between objects that are at different temperatures.

What is Heat Flow?

The transfer of energy from a warmer object to a cooler object.

Heat transfer: the mechanisms

Three mechanisms for heat transfer: conduction, convection and radiation.

Heat transfer: the mechanisms

Radiation:
The transfer of heat via electromagnetic radiation. Example - the Sun.

Radiation:
Energy transferred though magnetic waves.

Can radiation transmits heat through vacuum?

Heat transfer: the mechanisms

Conduction: A diffusive process wherein molecules transmit their kinetic energy to other molecules by colliding with them.

Conduction
Conduction of heat energy occurs as warmer molecules transmit vibration, and hence heat, to adjacent cooler molecules. Warm ground surfaces heat overlying air by conduction.

Could conduction occurs in vacuum?

Heat transfer: the mechanisms Convection: A process associated with the motion of the medium. When a hot material flows into a cold material, it will heat the region - and vise versa.

Convection
Is convection or conduction a more effective way of transporting heat?

Convection occurs when hotter water rises and cold water sinks, which helps distribute heat energy.

Convection (you can feel it!)

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The Sun is the source of 99% of all energy on Earth. It transmits energy in waves. You can see the visible light that the sun radiates but it also radiates other forms of energy. These other forms are called electromagnetic radiation which all wavelengths are known as the Electromagnetic Spectrum.

Earths Radiation Distribution

Earth reflects 30% directly back to space, absorbs about 20% in the atmosphere, and absorbs about 50% at the surface. Earths lower atmosphere is warmed by radiation, conduction, convection of heat.

Solid, Liquid, Gas

Heat Transfer
Heat always moves from a warmer place to a cooler place. Hot objects in a cooler room will cool to room temperature. Cold objects in a warmer room will heat up to room temperature.

Question
If a cup of coffee and a red popsickle were left on the table in this room what would happen to them? Why? The cup of coffee will cool until it reaches room temperature. The popsickle will melt and then the liquid will warm to room temperature.

Radiation, Convection and Conduction

Convection between Hydrosphere and Geosphere and Atmosphere:

1. Which of the following is not a method of heat transfer?

A.Radiation B. Insulation C. Conduction D.Convection

2. In which of the following are the particles closest together?

A.Solid B. Liquid C. Gas D.Fluid

3. How does heat energy reach the Earth from the Sun?
A.Radiation B. Conduction C. Convection D.Insulation

4. Which is the best surface for reflecting heat radiation?

A.Shiny white B. Dull white C. Shiny black D.Dull black

5. Which is the best surface for absorbing heat radiation?

A.Shiny white B. Dull white C. Shiny black D.Dull black