How thermal energy is transferred by conduction in solids and by convection in fluids, why metals conduct well and air is a poor conductor, and everyday examples such as insulation and sea breezes.
5 narrated scenes. Press play, listen and read along — the points appear as they are explained. Use ‹ Prev / Next › or the scene bar to jump to any scene.
A metal spoon in hot soup becomes too hot to hold, while a wooden one does not. The difference is conduction.
Narration uses your device’s built-in voice. No sound? Switch to “Captions only” — the captions advance on their own.
Heat the water and follow the convection current.
Copy these into your notebook in your own words — that is how they stick.
Transfer of thermal energy through a material by particle vibrations (and free electrons in metals); no bulk movement.
Good conductors because of free electrons.
Wood, plastic, glass, air, polystyrene; trapped air is a good insulator.
Transfer in a fluid by movement of the fluid: hot, less dense fluid rises; cool fluid sinks.
Circulating flow set up by heating.
By day, air rises over the warmer land and cool sea air flows in.
By night, air rises over the warmer sea and air flows out to sea.
A/C high, heater low; metal pots with insulating handles; lagging.
3 quick games on this lesson. Earn XP and badges as you play — your best score for each game is saved. Games are for practice and do not change your exam readiness. More games in the Physics Arcade.
8 items modelled on real CSEC Paper 1 questions. Choose one answer for each, then check. Aim for 80% or better. Work each item on paper first.
Write full answers, then reveal the mark scheme and tick the points you earned (15 marks in total). Show all your working — method marks count. Your answers are saved on this device.
Question 1 [15 marks]
A kitchen has a metal saucepan with a plastic handle that is heated on a gas stove. A room is cooled by an air conditioner.
(a) (a) Name the process by which energy passes along the metal of the saucepan, and explain it. [4]
(b) (b) State why the handle is made of plastic. [2]
(c) (c) Explain how water in the saucepan is heated by convection. [4]
(d) (d) Explain why the air conditioner is placed high on the wall. [3]
(e) (e) Explain why a sea breeze blows during the day. [2]
Find these in your own past-paper booklets for extra timed practice. Items above are written in the style of these papers; any adapted from a specific question say so.