Lesson 8 of 9

Conduction, convection and radiation

Goal: Describe three ways energy is transferred by heating.

Puzzles for this lesson

Energy is transferred by heating in three ways: conduction, convection and radiation.

ConductionMainly in solids. Vibrating particles pass energy to their neighbours.

ConvectionIn liquids and gases. The heated part rises and the cooler part sinks.

RadiationEnergy carried by waves. No particles are needed, so it can cross empty space.

Metals are good thermal conductors. Wood, plastic and air are poor conductors. They are thermal insulators.
The Sun warms the Earth by radiation. There are almost no particles in space to carry the energy.

Your turn

This lesson’s activity starts here in a moment.

I can match each method to an example.I can explain conduction using particles.

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Conduction Vibrating particles pass energy to their neighbours

Convection A heated liquid or gas rises and carries energy with it

Radiation Energy transferred by waves, even across empty space

Thermal insulator A material that lets energy through only slowly

For teachers: AQA 3.3.4 · Pearson Edexcel 28.4 in part · Cambridge 9Pf.05