Heat, Energy and the Kinetic Theory - Assignment Example

Heat, Energy and the Kinetic Theory Q Ans. According to the Kinetic Theory of Matter, matter consists of numerous tiny particles which execute constant motion. These tiny particles include atoms or molecules. The Kinetic Theory of Matter helps explain the matter’s behavior. Two of the most important elements that are discussed by the Kinetic Theory of Matter include the relationship between the properties of volume, pressure, and temperature of gases, and the process of flow of heat. The study of heat relates to the Kinetic Theory of Matter as the theory draws upon the difference of kinetic energies held by individual atoms or molecules. The more the kinetic energy, the more the heat and the lesser the kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules of the matter, the lower is its temperature. Q. 2. Ans. Energy causes the atoms and molecules contained in the matter to display motion. The atoms and molecules are in constant state of motion, thus vibrating back and forth and colliding with one another. This creates a type of energy, which is known as the thermal energy or heat. Heat is there in all states of matter. Even at very low temperatures, matter has some amount of thermal energy. Heat travels in the form of waves and has the potential to change the matter it comes into contact with by accelerating the constituent atoms or molecules of the matter. Chemical reactions like nuclear reactions can release heat. Insulators can be used to trap the heat for some time. Q. 3. Ans. The atoms or molecules constituent of a matter travel at different speeds which speaks of the difference of the energy level of different atoms or molecules. For example, molecules in a gas travel in random directions with different speeds. Some molecules are faster as compared to the other. Average of the thermal energy contained by the individual atoms or molecules of a matter gives the estimate of the matter’s temperature. “Temperature is a measure of the average translational kinetic energy associated with the disordered motion of atoms and molecules” (Sullivan and Edmondson, 2008, p. 104). In other words, temperature is the extent to which a substance is hot or cold as measured by a thermometer. The temperature of a substance depicts the average velocity of the constituent atoms or molecules. Units of measurement of temperature include degrees on the Kelvin scale, the Celsius scale, or the Fahrenheit scale. Q. 4. Ans. Temperature of a substance increases as long as it is heated. Functions performed by the heat bring changes in the temperature of a substance. For example, when a cold body is brought in contact with a hot substance, heat flows from the hot substance to the cold body, thus causing the temperature of the hot substance to decrease while that of the cold body to increase. In other words, heat is the name of thermal energy contained in a substance while temperature is essentially its effect. Heat and temperature have a cause and effect relationship. Q. 5. Ans. Heat and temperature are different from one another. Temperature of a substance is a measure of the amount of heat it contains whereas heat of a substance is a measure of the thermal energy contained by its particles. The more the heat contained by a substance, the higher is its temperature. Likewise, the lower the heat contained by a substance, the lower its temperature gets. “While we normally think of temperature as a measurement of heat, temperature is really a measurement of how many more energy states are made available due to a given increase in energy” (Haag, 2011). Q. 6. Ans. The heat capacity of a material is a measure of the extent of energy that must be exchanged between the environment and the material so as to cause an alteration in its temperature. In simple words, the heat capacity of a material is the measure of its capacity to contain heat. The amount of energy it takes to cause a change in the temperature of a material depends upon its heat capacity. Different materials have different heat capacities. Materials like water have a high heat capacity and hence require a lot of energy to cause a slight change in their temperature, whereas the heat capacity of steel is very low, and thus it takes very little energy to cause a change in the temperature of steel. There are certain properties every substance has that help determine the heat capacity of the substance. These properties include but are not limited to the pressure, temperature, and the chemical composition of the substance. Anything that causes a change in the distribution of energy states has the potential to alter the substance’s heat capacity. Molecules are pushed closed to one another with pressure, thus increasing the number of collisions among the particles of the substance. This causes a change in the energy states of individual particles. Chemical composition also changes the energy states of the particles. Molecules of a substance differ in their sizes, electrical charges, and various other properties. These properties depict the way molecules interact together. This makes some states of energy less or more favorable as compared to the others. Likewise, energy states change with a change in temperature. Q. 7. Ans. Sun is the prime source of heat on Earth. Heat in the sun is produced as a result of a nuclear reaction. Everything contains a certain amount of heat that is exchanged when it comes in contact with other things in the environment. For example, the energy stored in food is released as heat in the air. Fuels like oil, gasoline, and coal contain chemical energy which is released as heat when the fuel is burnt. Fuel is burnt in the automobile just like food is burnt inside the body during digestion. The potential sources of heat include but are not limited to friction, nuclear reactions, and electricity. “If the particles in a substance move more quickly, the average energy increases, and the temperature of the substance goes up” (resources.yesican-science.ca, 1997). Likewise, motion of the electricity through a wire results in an increase in the energy with which the particles of the wire move, thus producing heat in it. References: Haag, D. (2011, May 20). What Are the Various Properties of a Substance That Determine Its Heat Capacity? Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/info_8458965_various-determine-its-heat-capacity.html. resources.yesican-science.ca. (1997). Sources of Heat. Retrieved from http://resources.yesican-science.ca/lpdd/g07/lp/nelson/nel13.html. Sullivan, G., and Edmondson, C. (2008). Heat and temperature. Continuing Education in Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Pain. 8(3): 104-107. Retrieved from http://ceaccp.oxfordjournals.org/content/8/3/104.full.pdf. Read More