Conduction and

Geology
Texts from TeachinginaWonderland
Watch the Videos
1. Conduction
2. Heat Transfer
Conduction and Geology
Learning Goal:

❏ We can explain how heat is transmitted through conduction

❏ We can describe natural processes that are caused by conduction

Success Criteria:

❏ I can define what conduction is

❏ I can explain how heat is transmitted through conduction
❏ I can describe natural processes that are caused by conduction
Conduction
What is meant by the term conduction? When talking about heat, conduction is the process by which heat or electricity is
directly transmitted through a substance when there is a difference of temperature without the movement of the material. Let’s break
down this definition further. When we talk about the transmission of heat we are talking about the movement of heat energy from one
object to another, or from one place to another. An example of this is when we harm our homes through the winter. We are
transferring the heat from the central heating furnace to rooms around the home.

What is conduction?

When we cook an egg in a pan on a hot stove, there is a transmitted of thermal energy. The thermal energy transmitted from
the hot stove burner and through the pan. The energy then moves from the pan and into the cold egg. The particles in the stove
vibrate quickly. Remember that particles with a higher temperature move faster than particles with a lower temperature. When the
pan comes into contact with the burner, the fast-moving particles of the burner collide and transfer energy to the slow moving
particles of the cold pan. This energy transmitted raises the temperature of the pan.

When we talk about the egg in the pan, eventually the energy from the hot pan will collide and transmits energy to the
particles of the cold egg. The temperature of the egg rises, and the egg begins to cook. Conduction is the transmission of thermal
energy through a substance, or between substances in contact. This energy transmission is caused by the collision of particles.
Conductors and Insulators
There are some materials that allow for the transmission of energy to move faster than other materials. These materials are
called conductors because they transmission energy easily.

Other materials do not allow for the transmission of energy and these materials are called insulators. Examples of conductors
are copper and other metals. Examples of insulators are foam, felt or fleece.

Think about the materials our cooking pots and pans are made of. They are usually made of some kind of metal. This is
because metal is a good conductor and allows for the transmission of thermal energy. If we were using a metal spoon to stir a pot the
heat would eventually be transmitted from the liquid in the pot to the tip of the spoon that our hand is on. This would cause us to get
burnt. However, if we were to use a wooden spoon or a plastic spoon, the heat would not get transmitted.

One last example…

Let’s take a look at another example. Remember that with heat conduction, heat energy travels from the hot point to a cold
point. A pan of hot soup is taken off the stove top and put on a table. The pot is still hot. The area of the table under the pot gets hot.
The heat has been moved from the pot to the table top by conduction.
Conduction and Geology
Sources of thermal energy

One source of thermal energy on the Earth’s surface is the Sun. Another large source of thermal energy is geothermal energy
within the Earth. We can see geothermal energy when we look at volcanic eruptions and when hot springs bring boiling liquid to the
surface of the Earth. Thermal energy from deep within Earth is conducted through the matter in the upper layers. This energy helps
to form rocks and minerals.

Forming rocks and minerals

Rocks inside the Earth are constantly melting and solidifying. When rock is heated to high temperatures, it melts into magma.
When hot magma is pushed to the surface in a volcanic eruption, it cools and solidifies into new rock. This new rock is called igneous
rock.

The Earth’s crust is constantly moving slowly. Movements of the Earth’s crust have changed our planet. Sometimes two pieces
of Earth’s crust push against each other. This collision pushes existing rocks deep into Earth and towards the hot core. When the rock
is exposed to high pressure and temperatures, the particles absorb the geothermal energy and they are rearranged. The result is a
new type of rock called metamorphic rock.

Diamond is a mineral that is made up of pure carbon and is the hardest material found on Earth. Diamonds form deep in the
Earth’s crust. Heat and pressure may change graphite into diamond. Diamonds are a type of metamorphic rock. Diamonds can often
be found near the sites of old volcanoes where magma from eruptions carried rocks containing diamonds closer to Earth’s surface.
Homework
1. Review the information in the slides.
2. Make jot notes in a google doc on each section
3. Add to your science folder