CHAPTER 9 HEAT

Learning Outcomes:

1. To learn about temperature and heat

2. To learn about heat flow and equilibrium of heat
3. To learn about the principle of expansion and contraction of matter
4. To learn about the relationship between the type of surface of object and
the absorption and release of heat

9.1 Temperature and heat

1. Temperature is the degree of coldness or hotness of a substance. The S.I. unit
for temperature is Kelvin (K). A thermometer is used to measure the
temperature in degree Celsius (0C).
2. Temperature of a substance depends on the movement of the particles in the
substances.
3. Heat is a form of energy that can flow from a hot region to a cold region. The
S.I. unit for heat is joule (J). It can also be measured in calories (Cal).
4. The quantity of heat is influenced by:
a. Mass of material
b. Type of material
c. Temperature of material
5. Temperature and heat are different quantities, but they are related. (e.g. When
an object absorbs heat, its temperature increases.)
6. The Sun is the main source of heat on Earth. Heat energy also can be obtained
from other sources likes electrical appliances (electric kettle), burning of fuel,
friction and chemical reaction.
9.2 Heat flow and thermal equilibrium
1. When two substances of different temperatures are in contact, heat flows from
the hot substance to the cold substance. The heat flow will stop when two
substances reach the thermal equilibrium (same temperature).
2. The rate of heat flow depends on the difference in temperature between two
substances. The greater the difference in temperature, the faster the heat flows.
3. The method of heat flow includes:
a. Conduction
b. Convection
c. Radiation

Conduction
1. Conduction is process of heat transfer from hotter region to the colder region
through solid medium when in contact.
2. The particles of a solid do not flow. Hence, heat transfers from one particle to
another by vibrations.

3. The rate of heat flow through conduction is different for different substances.
Generally, metal has a higher heat transfer rate.
 Convection
1. Convection is a process of heat transfer from hotter region to the colder region
through fluids, such as a gas or liquid.
2. The particles of fluid flow freely and carry heat energy with them.
3. When the fluid is heated, the hotter fluid expands and becomes less dense and
rises. Whereas colder fluid becomes denser and goes down replacing the
empty space left by hot fluid.
4. The circulating movement of fluids that rises and falls continuously is known
as the convection current.

Radiation
1. Radiation is the flow of heat from a source of heat to its surrounding without
any medium (vacuum). The heat is transferred through electromagnetic waves.

2. The rate of heat flow is influenced by the type of surface, temperature and
surface area of the object.
 Heat flow in natural phenomena
1. Heating of Earth by the sun
➢ The space between the Earth and the sun is vacuum. Sunlight gives out
infrared radiation, which is a type of electromagnetic wave. Thus, heat is
transferred through radiation from the sun to Earth at speed of light.

2. Heat flow in nature

(A) Sea breeze
➢ During the day, the land heats up faster than the sea. Thus, the air at the
surface of the land expands, becomes less dense and move upwards.
➢ The cool air above the sea flows inland to take the place of hot air.
➢ This movement is known as sea breeze.

(B) Land breeze

➢ At night, the land cools faster than the sea. Thus, the warm air above the sea
surface becomes less dense and move upwards. The cold and denser air from
land surface replaces the warm air that has moved upwards.
➢ This movement is known as land breeze.
 Heat conductor and heat insulator

Heat conductor Heat insulator

❖ A substance that allows heat to ❖ A substance that prevents or slows
flow through it easily. down heat to flow through it.
❖ Metals, such as iron, zinc, lead, ❖ Non-metals, such as wood, plastic,
mercury are good heat conductor cork, glass are good heat insulators.
substances.
Uses Uses
❖ Cooking utensils such as pots and ❖ Jackets, scarf and gloves are made up
pans are made of steel or of wool to trap heat and keep our
aluminium so that heat can be body warm.
transferred quickly. ❖ Sawdust is used to cover ice blocks
❖ Mercury is a metal in the form of to slow down melting.
liquid and is used in thermometer. ❖ Polystyrene is used as insulator in the
❖ Wire gauze is made up of iron to ice box to maintain a cold
conduct heat evenly to the base of temperature.
the container during heating. ❖ Wood or plastic is used as the handle
❖ Car radiators are made up of copper of utensils so that our hand does not
to conduct heat rapidly to the get burnt while holding it.
surrounding air.
9.3 Principle of expansion and contraction of matter
1. Matter expands when heated and contracts when cooled.
2. When an object is heated, the particles have more energy and hence will
vibrate or move faster and the distance among the particles increases and this
will cause the volume to increase. This increase in size is called expansion.
3. When an object is cooled, the particles vibrate or move slowly and the
distance between the particles decreases and this will cause the volume to
decrease. This decrease in size is called contraction.
Condition of Heating Cooling
matter

Solid
The metal ball contracts upon
The metal ball expands upon
cooling and thus, its size
heating and thus its size decreases and it is able to go
increases and could not go through the ring
through the ring.

Liquid

The level of the liquid in the The level of the liquid in the
glass tube rises because the glass tube drops because the
water expands upon heating. water contracts upon cooling.

Coloured water drop has

dropped
Gas
 The indicator in the glass
The indicator in the glass tube
tube rises because the air in
drops because the air in the
the flask expands upon
flask contracts upon cooling.
heating.
Table 9.1 Expansion and contraction of different matters

Application of expansion and contraction of matter

1. Thermometer
➢ Mercury is a metallic liquid that is commonly used in thermometer as it
conducts heat well.
➢ Alcohol, such as ethanol is commonly used as well in thermometer because it
is less toxic than mercury.
➢ Both are very sensitive towards small changes in temperature and able to
expand and contract uniformly with temperature.

2. Expansion gaps
➢ An expansion gap is a small space on railway track or steel bridge to allow
expansion on hot days.
➢ This can prevent the track from bending and prevent the train from sliding
away from the railway track.

3. Electrical cables
➢ Electrical cables are made of copper wires. They are hung loosely between the
poles in order to prevent the cables from snapping when they contract and
tighten during a cold night.
4. Bimetallic strip
➢ Bimetallic strip is usually used in fire alarm device for switching on the alarm
when a fire breaks out.
➢ The flame from the fire heats up the bimetallic strip and causes it to expand
and bend and touch the touch point. The circuit becomes complete and the bell
rings.
 5. Rivets
➢ Rivets are used to join two pieces of metal. The hot rivet will be inserted
through the points to be joined. Then the rivet is flattened using hammer. The
cooling rivet will shrink and grip the two metal pieces together strongly.

9.4 Relationship between types of surface of object with the absorption and
release of heat

1. The rate of absorption and release of heat depends on the:

a. Type of surface
b. Surrounding temperature
2. A dark and dull surface absorbs heat better than a bright and shiny surface.
3. The higher the surrounding temperature, the more heat is absorbed by the
object.
4. Application of heat absorption and emission in daily life:
a. The petrol tank of a petrol tanker is painted silver and shiny so that it
does not absorb much heat.
 b. Wearing bright coloured clothes during outdoor activities can reflect
heat radiation from the sun.

c. Cooking utensils are usually black in order to speed up the cooking of

food because black colour is a good heat absorber.

Concept of heat in everyday life

1. Convection current increases the ventilation to cool a building.
≈ Hot air rises and escapes through the air vents on the ceiling and with the
help of ventilation fans.
≈ Cool air enters the building through doors and windows that are opened.
2. Green building technology practises the importance of the natural environment
in buildings. It is mainly developed to reduce the effect on the environment
and the human health as a result of rapid development.
3. Index criteria of green building:
≈ Energy efficiency
≈ Indoor environment quality
≈ Sustainable site planning and management
≈ Material and resources
≈ Water efficiency
≈ Innovation
 4. Features of the green house:
Features Uses
Solar panel Changes heat energy to electrical energy
Solar water heater Heats up water without using electric energy
Water tank for rain water Can be used to water the plants or to wash the car
Glazed windows Helps to cool the house
Glass roof Allows light to enter the house
Grass and trees on the lawn To maintain a green landscape

Diagram 9.1 The Diamond Building of the Energy Commission’s headquarters, Putrajaya –
An example of green building in Malaysia