Transfer of Heat

INTRODUCTION

Simply heat is the sum of kinetic energy of atoms or molecules. In thermodynamics, heat means energy which is moved between two things when one of them is hotter than the other.

Heat energy can be transmitted from one point to another point in a body by three different methods: conduction, convection and radiation.

Conduction

The process by which heat is transmitted from one point to another particle without actual movement of the particles of the body     ( or the medium ) is called conduction.

Conductors and Insulators:

The materials which allow the heat to pass through them easily are called good conductor of heat.

The materials which do not allow the heat to pass through them are called bad conductor of heat.

Conditions for the conduction of heat between bodies:

• The bodies should be in actual contact with each other.


• There should be a temperature difference between two bodies.

Convection 

The process of transfer of heat in which the heated particles actually move from one place to another place to carry out the heat is convection.

Radiation

The process of transfer of heat from one place to another in absence of medium is called radiation.