| Energy Transfer |
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Energy can transfer many different ways. Three basic types of energy transfer are conduction, convection and radiation.
Caution: Only try these experiments under adult supervision and using proper safety equipment!
| Conduction: Is where energy is transfer through direct contact |  A Pan of water is placed on a cool heating coil and very little energy transfer takes place between the pan and the coil.
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 When in the form of electricity is introduced to the coil, the coil acts as a resistor and the coil heats up and radiates energy in the form of light and heat.
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The Pan is placed on the coil and it makes direct contact with the pan. As a result the heat energy is transferred from the coil to the pan and then to the water by direct contact which is called conduction.
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An Example of Conduction
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This causes the water to absorb the energy. Conduction and heats the water to a boil. Convection cells form as the water turns over and over as it rises from the heat and cools and sinks only to rise again when comes in contact from the heat source.
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| Take the pan away from the direct contact of the energy source and conduction becomes convection until the pan is completely removed |  |
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The pan is completely removed from the energy source and the reaction has ceased because there is no longer a transfer of energy by conduction (direct contact) or convection (indirect contact) |
Convection: Energy that is transferred directly above the source without actually touching the source.
 A lighted candle is a great example of convection. The flame on the candle is an example of a heat transference.
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Convection at work! |  The candle's flame is not touching the toilet paper square. However the air is heated around the candle's flame and rises. (Convection) The result of the rising heated air burns the toilet paper square. (Energy Transfer) and the air burns through the toilet paper. The air continues to rise until it is far enough away from the heat source and then cools and sinks back to the heat source . Then rises again as it is heated creating a convection cell!
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Radiation: is energy that is transmitted from a source as light, heat and radiation.
 Radiation energy comes from the Sun in form of Visible Light, Infrared (Heat Energy) and Ultra-Violet (UV Rays.) |
Radiation at work! |  Electricity meets resistance in the wire filament in the bulb. This filament heats ups and glows and radiates throughout the room as light, heat and radiation. |
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