HEAT TRANSFER BY CONDUCTION, CONVECTION, AND RADIATION

Now that you have completed your research and assignments you all should have an understanding of the following:

   -Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy by collisions between more energetic and less
     energetic particles.

   -Conduction occurs in solids, liquids, and gases.  Metals are the best conductors of heat.

   -Convection is the transfer of thermal energy by the movement of warmer and cooler material.

   -Convection occurs in fluids. Rising of warmer fluid and sinking of cooler fluid forms a
     convection current.

   -Radiation is the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves.

   -Insulators are used to reduce the rate of heat transfer from one place to another.

For an extension assignment go to the website below titled Science-class.net Earth process
     1. Read the introductory material
     2. Work in groups of 3 to perform the experiment
     3. Answer the questions following the experiment on notebook paper (NOTE: each student must
         turn in their own answer sheet but it would be alright to discuss answer responses and reasoning
         behind the answers within the group!)

Why is it important to understand heat transfer?  The transfer of heat is an important part of the world around us.  It can affect us as individuals and has a tremendous impact on our Earth.  Climate is driven by heat transfer as well as plate tectonics, both of which play a great role in our evolution and further existence here on Earth.