Heating and Cooling

When we know the temperature of something, we know how hot it is, not how much heat/thermal energy it contains. Temperature is measured in degrees Celcius, whilst heat is measured in joules (J).

The amount of heat or thermal energy in something depends on:

• How hot it is (its temperature)
• The material it is made from
• Its mass

Heating makes a material expand, whilst cooling makes a material contract.

Conduction takes place in solids. Metals are the best conductors. Most other solids are poor conductors.

Convection takes place in liquids…