Energy Transfer – Lesson Summary

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Learning Objective

In this lesson we will look at how different types of kinetic energy are transferred.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

  • Explain what is meant by ‘energy transfer’.
  • Describe how mechanical kinetic energy is transferred between objects.
  • Describe how thermal energy is transferred by the processes of conduction, convection and radiation.
  • Differentiate between thermal conductors and thermal insulators.
  • Describe how radiant energy is transferred.
  • Describe how sound energy is transferred.
  • Describe how electrical kinetic energy is transferred.
  • Differentiate between electrical conductors and electrical insulators.

 
energy transfer lesson contents

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Lesson Topics

1 | The Transfer of Energy

2 | Transfer of Mechanical Kinetic Energy

3 | Transfer of Thermal Energy

4 | Transfer of Radiant Energy

5 | Transfer of Sound Energy

6 | Transfer of Electrical Kinetic Energy

7 | Summary

Lesson Summary

  • Energy transfer is the movement of the same form of energy from one location to another.
  • Only kinetic energy can be transferred directly.
  • Mechanical kinetic energy can be transferred between objects through collisions, where one object gains energy and the other object loses energy.
  • The transfer of thermal energy is known as heat transfer.
  • It always occurs from regions of higher temperature to regions of lower temperature.
  • Conduction is a type of heat transfer that involves the transfer of kinetic energy between particles in matter.
  • Thermal conductors are materials that readily transfer heat by conduction, whereas thermal insulators are materials that do not readily transfer heat by conduction.
  • Convection is a type of heat transfer that involves the movement of fluids via convection currents.
  • Radiation is a type of heat transfer that involves electromagnetic waves.
  • Radiant energy is transferred as electromagnetic waves, which consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields.
  • Radiant energy can be transferred through matter and through a vacuum.
  • Sound energy is transferred as mechanical waves, which consist of oscillating particles.
  • Sound energy can be transferred through matter, but not through a vacuum.
  • Electrical kinetic energy can be transferred between objects with different charges and through electric circuits.
  • Electrical conductors are materials that readily transfer electrical kinetic energy, whereas electrical insulators are materials that do not readily transfer electrical kinetic energy.

 
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