| A | B |
| temperature | the measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in an object |
| thermal expansion | the increase in volume of a substance due to an increase in temperature |
| absolute zero | the lowest temperature on the Kelvin scale, (0 degrees Kelvin) |
| heat | the transfer of energy between objects that are at different temperatures |
| thermal energy | the total energy of the particles that make up a substance |
| conduction | the transfer of thermal energy from one substance to another through direct contact |
| conductors | a substance that conducts energy very well |
| insulator | substances that do not conduct thermal energy very well |
| convection | the transfer of thermal energy by the movement of a liquid or a gas |
| radiation | the transfer of energy through matter or space as electromagnetic waves |
| specific heat capacity | the amount of energy needed to change the temperature of 1kg fo a substance by 1 degree celsius |
| states of matter | the physical forms in which a substance can exist |
| change of state | the conversion of a substance from one physical form to another |
| insulation | a substance that reduces the transfer of thermal energy |
| heat engine | a machine that uses heat to do work |
| thermal pollution | excessive heating of a body of water |