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Thermal Energy Transfer
Kimberly Rutledge
Created on September 14, 2025
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Transcript
Thermal Energy Transfer
By:Tristan and Gabe
Thermal Energy Transfer
The Transfer of thermal energy is the movement of thermal energy from an area of high temperatures to an area of low temperatures.For example if you take a bike outoors on a cold day the temperature of the bike will be the same as outside then when you take it back inside it will heat up back to the room temperatue.Thermal energy transfer can occur by radiation,convection, or conduction.
Radiation
Radiation is the emisson of energy as waves. When radiant energy encounters particles of matter,it may be reflected or absorded.The absorbed energy can increase the movement of the particles. Any substance at a higher temperature than its surroundings will emit radiant energy.For example the sun radiates energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. When the energy reaches Earth,some of it is absorbed by matter such as,water,land or air.This then increases the kinetic energy in the molecules in the matter,then the matters temperature increases.Then the warmed matter transfers some of its thermal energy to substances at lower temperature or re-emits the energy as infrared raditation.
Conduction
Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through direct contact between particles of a substance,without moving the particles to a new location.Thermal energy transfer by conduction usually takes place in solids.During conduction particles with more kinetic energy transfer some of their to neighbouring particles with lower kinetic energy.This increases the kinetic energy of the neighbouring particles,which may end up transfering energy into other neighbouring particles.For example if you have a pot on a stove the stove radiate energy to the pot,the particles of metal closest to the burner absorb some of the energy and increase the kinetic energy of the pot.These particles can then transfer energy by conduction to neighbouring particles causing and increase in temperature.
Convection
Convection is the transfer of thermal energy through the movement of particles of one location to another.This usually occurs in gases or liquids.During convection the movement of particles forms a current.For example when water in a pot absorbs energy from a stovetop, the water molecules increase in kinetic energy. The water molecules then begin to move apart causing the water to expand in volume.
Thermal Energy Transfer In The Atmosphere
Earth as a whole recives insulation form the sun but diffrent parts of earth recive a diffrent amount.Thermal energy is transferred through the hydrosphere and atmosphere,since earths climate system is a interrelated whole.The temperature of the atmosphere increases in areas close to or near the equator.As the atmospheric gases gain energy and expand ,the air becomes less dense and rises.In areas close to or at the poles,the temperature tends to decrease.The cooling atmospheric gases lose energy amd contract and the air becomes denser and falls.
Coriolis Effect
The coriolis effect is the deflection of any object from a straight-line path by the rotation of the earth.The coriolis effect causes moving air or wind to turn right in the northern hemisphere and left in the southern. The key to the Coriolis effect lies in Earth’s rotation. Specifically Earth rotates faster at the Equator than it does at the poles. The Earth is wider at the Equator, so to make a rotation in one 24-hour period, equatorial regions race nearly 1,600 kilometers per hour. Near the poles, Earth rotates much slower at around 0.08 kilometers per hour.
Global Wind Patterns
Global wind transfer thermal energy from areas of net radiation surplus to areas of net radiation deficit.If this didnt happen the areas near or at the equator would be very hot whilst the rest of the earth would end up being much colder.In regions near the equator,warm,rising air currents cause higher altitude winds that flow towards the poles.To replace rising air cooler surface air moves toward the equator from higher altitudes.
Jet Streams
A jet stream is a band of fast moving air in the stratosphere.Because of their high altitude,these winds are not subject to much friction and that makes them much faster then the winds closer to earths surface.Earht has several jet streams ,which circle at various latitudes.There are usally 2-3 streams in the nothern and southern hemispheres.During cooler months jet streams tend to be closer to the equator and move more quickly.Changes in the jet streams can affect the formation of severe weather events such storms and cyclones.
Thermal Energy Transfer In The Hydrosphere
The effect of water on the transfer of heat in the hydrosphere is very significant.Since water covers about 70% of the earths surface and diffrent water forms of water can be found throughout earths biosphere,Earths climate is influenced greatly by phase changes during the hydrologic cycle.Water changes in phase many times whenever these changes occur thermal energy is either released or absorbed.When liquid changes to a solid thermal energy is released,when liquid changes to a vapour it is absorbed.
Thermal Energy Transfer In The Ocean
Ocean currents are the main pathways for thermal energy transfer from warmer areas near the equator to cooler areas near the poles.The energy is transfered by waves, tides, and currents constantly mixing the ocean, moving heat from warmer to cooler latitudes and to deeper levels.