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Heat Conversion
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Relationship between the Kinetic Theory of Matter and Heat
According to kinetic theory of matter, matter is composed of atoms and molecules which
are in constant random motion (Halliday & Resnick, 2013). . As the molecules continuously
jiggle and move around, they hit each other or vibrate back and forth thus producing a form of
energy known as thermal energy (also known as heat). According to the theory, all the three
states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) consist of freely-moving particles. As they move around
and collide with each other, energy is given out in form heat. The separation distance between
the particles determines the amount of energy released. Solid particles are often closely packed.
As a result, the particles vibrate at a constant point producing less energy. Liquid particles have a
good separation distance, thus can move swiftly producing higher amounts of thermal energy
(heat). The particles in gas are further apart hence having the highest collision rate, producing the
highest amount of energy. In other words, kinetic theory of matter explains how heat is produced
in a body. Without the understanding of the theory, the process of heat energy conversion would
also not be possible. As a matter of fact, transfer of heat energy happens through the movement
of particles in a body (Halliday & Resnick, 2013).
Heat
Heat is defined as form of energy that exists within a substance. It can also mean the sum
total of energy produced by motion of the molecules from one substance to another (flow of
energy). This energy comes as result of movement of molecules or atoms in a body. As the
bodies jiggle continuously and move around, they hit each other thus producing energy in form
of heat. The total amount of energy in a substance depends on the number (mass and size), speed,
and the type of particles in that particular substance. In other words, heat refers to the transfer of
energy from one object to another (What is Heat, 2010).
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Temperature
Temperature can be defined as the degree to which a body is hot or cold. In simple terms,
temperature is a means of detecting the existence of heat energy in a substance (What is Heat,
2010). The effect of heat energy of a substance gives the temperature of that particular substance.
For example, when heat energy is added to a substance, the particles begin moving faster and the
substance becomes hotter. Similarly, when heat energy if withdrawn from a substance the
particles move slower and becomes colder.
The Relationship between Heat and Temperature
When a substance is heated, its temperature rises. Heat decreases or increases the
temperature of a body. For instance, when heat is added the temperature will become higher
(Halliday & Resnick, 2013). In a similar manner, when heat is removed, the temperature will
become lower. It is worth noting that adding heat energy to a body does not necessarily alter the
temperature, it can lead phase change with temperature remaining constant. When a body is at
high temperatures, it means that its particles are vibrating, moving, and colliding with high
amount of energy. The converse is also true. When two bodies of the same temperature are
brought close, there will no transfer of energy because the particles in each object have the same
amount of average energy. However, when you bring a body with higher temperature close to a
body with low temperature, there will be transfer of energy from the hotter body to the colder
body (Frank & David, 1990).
Differences between Heat and Temperature
While heat is energy, temperature is a measure of energy. Heat depends of the number of
particles, speed of particles, and the type of particles in a substance. Temperature, on the other
hand, does not depend on the number of particles. For example, a 2-litre water can have the same
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temperature as a 20-litre water. However, the 20-litre water has more heat energy because it has
a higher amount of water. Therefore, when heat is added to a substance it receive energy which
can in turn can either increase the kinetic energy of the molecule (thus increasing the
temperature) or at constant temperature the energy can be used to break the bonds in the
molecules causing a change in the state (Frank & David, 1990).
Factors Affecting Heat Capacity of a Substance
The heat capacity refers to the total amount of energy required to change the temperature
o a substance to certain value. Heat capacity of a substance is determined by pressure, mass of
the substance, composition of the molecule, and the size of the molecule. When the mass (the
amount) of the substance is doubled, the heat capacity also doubles.
Sources of Heat
A source of heat is anything that can produce heat energy (Frank & David, 1990). They can
external or internal sources. The following are the common sources of heat

Sun

Chemical reactions

Frictions
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Natural gas
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Petroleum
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Coal
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Electricity

Fire
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References
Frank P. & David P. D. (1990). Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer (3rd ed.).NY: John
Wiley & Sons.
Halliday, D. & Resnick, R. (2013). Fundamentals of Physics. NY: Wiley Sons.
What is heat (2010) Retrieved from:
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_classroom/light_lessons/thermal/heat.html