UNIT 3.

HEAT AND TEMPERATURE

1 WHAT IS THE HEAT?
Heat is the thermal energy that is transferred from a body or
system to another. This transfer is caused by a different temperature.
Heat flows in a direction from a higher temperature to a lower
temperature. A system releases heat and the other absorbs.
The heat flow stops when temperatures are the same. For
example, if you place a iron rod heated to 80 in a container with
water at !" # , the iron rod will lose heat and the water absorbed.
The thermal transfer of heat stops when the iron rod and water
are at the same temperature. This is called "Thermal equilibrium".
2. HOW THE HEAT IS MEASURED?
There are two units of measurement for heat. $n the
$nternational %ystem, $%, the unit of measurement is the &oule '() but
the calorie is another unit of measurement. A (oule is 0.*+ calories.
! & , 0.*+ cal
3. WHAT IS THE TEMPERATURE?
The temperature is the amount of heat from a system.
Therefore, the temperature is the magnitude of heat. Heat and
temperature are not the same. -hen a system releases heat, its
temperature decreases.
A thermometer is an instrument that measures temperature.
.ost thermometers use li/uids in its inner, because li/uids expand
when are heated. .ercury and alcohol are the most common li/uid in
thermometers because, when are heated, the expansion is 0ery large
and easy to see in the glass tube of thermometers.
. S!A"E O# TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
The main scales to measure the temperature are1
2 The elsius scale ' ) also called centigrade scale. $t is the
most common scale in %pain. This scale is based on the beha0ior of
water. The melting point of water is 0 and the boiling point is !00
.
2 The 3el0in scale '3) also called absolute scale. This scale is
used by the $nternational %ystem. This scale is based on the beha0ior
of matter. The 0 3 is the temperature at which the particles are
stopped, no 4inetic energy.
2 Transforming temperature measurements between the two
scales1
3 , 0 5 *67
3 , 8 *67
For example, how do you transform a temperature of 790 3 to
:
790 3 , # 8 *67
7905*67 # ,
# , 7905*67 , 86 #
$. %UESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE HEAT !ON!EPT&
DO THEY CONTAIN MORE HEAT AT HIGHER
TEMPERATURES?
Heat is not a form of energy that is stored, as is the case with
potential energy. The heat is simply the transfer of energy between
two bodies that have diferent temperatures.
THEN WHAT DO WE CALL THE ENERGY THAT THE BODIES
OR SYSTEMS CONTAIN?
It is called internal energy because it comes from the internal
particles of an object. This could be due to the relationship between
the particles of the object and the kinetic energy of its particles.
PRO'IDIN( THAT HEAT IS TRANS#ERRED TO A )OD*
DOES IT IN!REASE HIS TEMPERATURE?
Not always. hen ice is warmed to !"#$, the temperature
increases until it reaches %&$, this is the temperature which produces
the change of state from solid to li'uid. (ntil a total change of state
takes place the temperature does not rise because the energy is
being used to break the bonds between the particles. )nce we have
only li'uid water, the temperature will begin to rise, because the
particles are ac'uiring kinetic energy.
+ WHAT ARE THE E##E!TS O# HEAT?
The effects of heat are two1
2 ontraction1 the decreasing in 0olume that occurs when a
system loses heat. The particles mo0e slowly and thus fill less space.
';xample1 a balloon when we put it in the fridge).
2 ;xpansion1 is the increasing in 0olume that occurs when a
system gains heat. The particles mo0e faster and therefore ta4e up
more space. ';xample, the balloon when we put on the radiator)
+.1 THE A)NORMA" )EHA'IOUR O# WATER
All solids, li/uids and gases change 0olume when exchange
energy with another system. <ormally, li/uids expand more than
solids. Howe0er, there are exceptions. For example, the water 0olume
and are more solid than li/uid, since solid state ordered molecules
along a geometric pattern which lea0es 0oids. Therefore, ice floats on
li/uid water. This is called =abnormal dilation= water.
, HOW THE HEAT IS TRANS#ERRED.
Heat is transferred by conduction, con0ection and radiation.
a) !-./u01i-.1 occurs in most solids. The heat is transferred
by direct contact. Heat flows from the hotter to the colder body. The
heat flows when the substances to reach the same temperature.
'Thermal e/uilibrium)
>epending on the beha0iour of the ob&ect may be1
2 onductors1 are substances that easily allow the flow of heat
through them.
2 $nsulation1 are substances that do not easily allow the flow of
heat through them. ;xamples are plastic, wood, air, etc.
b) !-.2e01i-. only occurs in fluids and gases. The heat is
transferred by the mo0ement of con0ection currents.
c) Ra/ia1i-.& $t is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic
wa0es. <o contact between the heat source and the heated substance
is necessary. $t is transferred in the 0acuum too. $t is the fastest way
to transfer heat.