Pakistan Education Academy [Science Grade 7]
Unit: Heat & Temperature
Learning Objectives:
5.1 Design a climate control system for an energy-efficient building.
5.2 Evaluate material efficiency in heat transfer methods.
5.3 Analyze the effects of thermal expansion and contraction in real-life scenarios.
5.1 Heat & Temperature
Heat is a form of energy. It travels from hot object to cold object. As we have learnt that particles in all the three states of
matter are always in a state of motion. The energy due to the motion of particles is called kinetic energy. It is also known as
thermal energy. Heat is the measure of thermal energy of all the particles of a substance. When an object is heated or cooled,
the average kinetic energy of its atoms, molecules or ions increases or decreases.
Heat loss or heat gain
When water or some other object is placed in a freezer, it loses thermal energy (heat loss). As a result, it becomes cold. When
some ice cubes taken in a beaker are heated on a burner, the thermal energy of ice increases (heat gain). As a result, it melts.
Heat Temperature
Heat is the measure of thermal energy The degree of hotness or coldness of an
of a substance. It is the total kinetic object is called its temperature. It is the
energy of all the particles of a measure of average kinetic energy of all
substance. the particles of a substance.
SI unit of heat is Joule (J). SI (System International) has adopted
Kelvin scale for measuring temperature.
Other unit of heat is Calories (cal). Other scales are Fahrenheit,
Celsius/Centigrade
Thermometer
The device used to measure temperature of an object is called thermometer.
A thermometer is usually made of a glass tube having a fine bore in it. The tube contains a bulb at its lower end. The bulb is
filled with mercury or alcohol. When the bulb of a thermometer is made in contact with the hot object, the alcohol/mercury
expands and its level rises in the tube.
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Pakistan Education Academy [Science Grade 7]
At a cold place, the alcohol/mercury contracts and its level fall down in the tube. The alcohol or mercury level in the glass tube
indicates the temperature.
Common Scales of Temperature
On the Centigrade scale, the interval between two fixed temperatures is divided into 100 equal divisions. Each division is called
a centigrade degree (°C).
On the Fahrenheit scale, the interval between two fixed temperatures is divided into 180 equal divisions. Each division is called
a Fahrenheit degree (°F).
Kelvin or Absolute scale As reference points, the freezing point of water in Kelvin scale is 273 K and the boiling point of water is
373 K. Interval between these two fixed points is divided into 100 equal intervals. Each interval on the scale is called one Kelvin
and denoted by K.
The two temperatures that form the basis of the Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales are as follows:
For Celsius (also known as Centigrade): 0 degrees Celsius (°C) is defined as the freezing point of pure water, and 100 degrees
Celsius is defined as the boiling point of pure water, both at standard atmospheric pressure
For Fahrenheit: 32 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) is defined as the freezing point of pure water, and 212 degrees Fahrenheit is defined
as the boiling point of pure water, both at standard atmospheric pressure
For converting the temperature given in °C to Kelvins:
Temperature in K = Temperature in °C + 273
For converting the temperature given in Kelvins to °C:
Temperature in °C = Temperature in K – 273
5.2 Modes of Heat Transfer
Conduction
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Pakistan Education Academy [Science Grade 7]
In solids, atoms or molecules are tightly held together. They vibrate constantly about their mean positions. When one part of a
solid object is heated, its atoms or molecules gain heat energy, due to which their vibrations become stronger. They collide with
the neighboring atoms.
The transfer of heat from one part of the solid to its other parts by vibrations and collisions of the particles (atoms or
molecules) is called conduction of heat. Energy transferred by direct contact.
Good and poor conductors of heat
The material that allow heat to travel through them faster are called good conductors of heat.
Metals are good conductors of heat.
The materials which do not allow heat to pass through them easily, are called bad conductors of
heat. Non metals are bad conductors of heat as they do not have free electrons in them.
Convection
The transfer of heat from one place to another by actual movement of liquid or gaseous particles is called convection of heat.
The hot molecules being lighter, rises up and cold molecules come down to fill the place. In this way, molecules of liquids and
gases transfer heat by their actual movement.
Radiation
The third method of heat transfer is radiation. In this method, heat spreads out directly from the source in the form of heat
rays. Radiation process does not require any material medium for heat transfer. Heat from the Sun reaches the Earth through
the radiation process. Energy is transferred by electromagnetic radiation
THERMAL INSULATION IN BUILDINGS
Material objects such as cork, foam, wool, cotton, timber, ceramic tiles, and some plastic products, etc., are non conductors of
heat. These are used for thermal insulation in buildings. Entrance of heat through windows can be reduced using double glazing
panes, i.e., two joined glass panes having air in between them. There are special paints whose coating is also helpful in thermal
insulation.
The Vacuum Flask
A vacuum flask is a double walled vessel. It is designed such that it hardly allows heat to enter into the flask or to come out of it.
Therefore, it keeps the temperature of its contents for several hours. As a result, the liquids placed in it remain hot or cold for a
longer period.
5.3 Thermal Expansion & Contraction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UtfegG4DU8
Therm means heat. Thermal expansion is the expansion of material objects on heating. It means that things expand on heating
and contract on cooling.
Usually solids expand on heating and contract on cooling. When a solid is heated, its particles gain energy and vibrate more
vigorously about their fixed positions forcing each other further apart. As a result, the solid object expands. Similarly, particles
in a liquid or gas gain energy on heating and are forced further apart. The degree of expansion depends on the nature of the
substance. Different metals expand or contract at different temperatures and by different amounts.
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Pakistan Education Academy [Science Grade 7]
Uses of Expansion and Contraction in Everyday Life
1. Expansion gaps in concrete road
Concrete in roads and paths expands in the summer because of high temperature. This makes the roads ruptured. To avoid
such loss, small gaps are left after every few meters in the concrete roads and paths.
2. Railway tracks
Railway tracks expand in hot days. If there is no gap, this is very dangerous for trains. Train can derail and endanger passengers.
3. Expansion of bridges
In building bridges, engineers must account for expansion in their design. This is because gaps are left at one end, and that end
is supported by rollers. Rollers allow bridge to slide over them smoothly when expanded. Otherwise, large stresses would arise
and the concrete would crack.
4. Overhead power and telephone wires
Overhead cables and telephone wires raised on poles expand during hot summer days. They contract in cold weather and
become tight. They may even snap. Allowance is made for the expansion or contraction so that the wires do not sag too much
during the day or snap at night. To prevent this, they are strung loosely from pole to pole to allow for contraction.
5. Large bends in pipes
Water pipes and pipelines can expand during hot weather and may burst. The bends in pipes allow them to expand or contract
without cracking.
6. Mercury or alcohol in thermometer
Mercury and alcohol are used in thermometers. These liquids expand and rise up in the tube when they get hotter. They
contract and fall down in the tube on becoming cold.
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