Thermodynamics Vocabulary

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Instructions: Master the vocabulary of heat, energy, and work with terms from the fascinating science of thermodynamics.

1.
What is 'thermodynamics'?
A
The study of hot springs
B
The study of dynamic movements
C
The branch of physics dealing with heat, work, temperature, and energy
D
The science of thermal clothing
2.
What does the 'First Law of Thermodynamics' state?
A
Absolute zero is unattainable
B
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another
C
Heat always flows from cold to hot
D
All systems tend toward disorder
3.
What is 'conduction'?
A
Heat transfer through fluid movement
B
The transfer of heat through direct contact between materials
C
The conversion of heat to light
D
Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves
4.
What is 'convection'?
A
Heat transfer through a vacuum
B
The creation of heat from friction
C
Heat transfer through solid objects
D
Heat transfer through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases)
5.
What is 'absolute zero'?
A
The freezing point of water
B
The temperature of outer space
C
The boiling point of liquid nitrogen
D
The lowest possible temperature, where molecular motion theoretically ceases (0 Kelvin or -273.15 degrees Celsius)
6.
What does 'specific heat capacity' measure?
A
The density of a material
B
The boiling point of a liquid
C
The temperature of a substance
D
The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one unit of mass by one degree
7.
What is 'radiation' as a form of heat transfer?
A
Heat traveling through water
B
The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves, which can travel through a vacuum
C
Heat stored in batteries
D
Heat moving through solid metal
8.
What is 'enthalpy'?
A
The speed of a reaction
B
The pressure of a gas
C
The volume of a container
D
A measure of the total heat content of a system
9.
What does an 'insulator' do?
A
Conducts heat efficiently
B
Generates electricity
C
Resists the flow of heat, keeping warm things warm and cold things cold
D
Absorbs all radiation
10.
What is 'thermal equilibrium'?
A
When all objects are at absolute zero
B
The state when two objects in contact reach the same temperature and heat no longer flows between them
C
When ice melts completely
D
When a liquid begins to boil
11.
What is a 'Joule'?
A
A type of heat engine
B
A measure of temperature
C
The SI unit of energy, work, or heat
D
A type of thermometer
12.
What does the 'Second Law of Thermodynamics' describe?
A
Pressure and volume are always equal
B
In any energy transfer, the total entropy of a system tends to increase over time
C
Energy is always conserved
D
Heat flows from cold to hot naturally
13.
What is a 'heat engine'?
A
A type of thermometer
B
A device that converts thermal energy into mechanical work
C
A heater for buildings
D
A device that only produces heat
14.
What is 'latent heat'?
A
The heat from the sun
B
Heat that is visible as light
C
The heat absorbed or released during a phase change without a temperature change
D
The heat produced by friction
15.
What is 'thermal conductivity'?
A
The color change of a heated object
B
A measure of how well a material conducts heat
C
The weight of a heated object
D
The temperature of a substance

Answer Key

Question 1

C. The branch of physics dealing with heat, work, temperature, and energy

Question 2

B. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another

Question 3

B. The transfer of heat through direct contact between materials

Question 4

D. Heat transfer through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases)

Question 5

D. The lowest possible temperature, where molecular motion theoretically ceases (0 Kelvin or -273.15 degrees Celsius)

Question 6

D. The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one unit of mass by one degree

Question 7

B. The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves, which can travel through a vacuum

Question 8

D. A measure of the total heat content of a system

Question 9

C. Resists the flow of heat, keeping warm things warm and cold things cold

Question 10

B. The state when two objects in contact reach the same temperature and heat no longer flows between them

Question 11

C. The SI unit of energy, work, or heat

Question 12

B. In any energy transfer, the total entropy of a system tends to increase over time

Question 13

B. A device that converts thermal energy into mechanical work

Question 14

C. The heat absorbed or released during a phase change without a temperature change

Question 15

B. A measure of how well a material conducts heat

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