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Science · Physical Science
Heat Transfer
Heat always moves from hot to cold until everything is equal. It travels three ways: conduction, convection, and radiation.
Heat moves HOT → COLD until both reach the same temperature — that's thermal equilibrium, and the flow stops.
🔥3 Ways Heat Travels
🥄CONDUCTION
HowHeat hops between touching particles
WhereMostly in solids — especially metals
🍳 spoon hot in a pan
🌀CONVECTION
HowWarm fluid rises, cool fluid sinks — currents!
WhereIn fluids: liquids and gases
🍲 boiling soup · 🎈 hot air
☀️RADIATION
HowHeat travels as waves (rays)
WhereThrough air AND empty space
☀️ Sun · 🔥 campfire glow
🧣Conductors vs. Insulators
🥄CONDUCTORS — heat zooms through
Let heat move through them
easily.
🔩 metal · 🥄 a spoon · 🍳 a pan
🧤INSULATORS — heat gets blocked
Slow heat down and
trap it.
🧶 wool · 🧊 Styrofoam · 🧥 puffy coat
🔑Key Terms
🔥Thermal Energy The energy in moving particles — what we call HEAT.
🥄Conduction Heat transfer by direct contact between particles.
🌀Convection Heat transfer through moving fluids (liquids & gases).
☀️Radiation Heat transfer by waves — even through empty space.
⚖️Thermal Equilibrium When two objects reach the same temperature and heat flow stops.
🧤Insulator A material that blocks heat (wool, Styrofoam).
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Remember: heat ALWAYS flows from hotter things to cooler things — never the other way — until they reach the same temperature!