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Browse key terms and definitions across all GCSE subjects. Search by keyword or filter by subject and exam board.
23,110 key terms
Thermal energy change
The increase or decrease in a material’s thermal energy store as its temperature changes, measured in joules.
Thermal energy store
The energy stored by an object because of the internal motion and arrangement of its particles.
Thermal energy store
An energy store associated with the particles of an object. Increasing this store can raise the object’s temperature.
Thermal energy transfer
Energy transferred because of a temperature difference or during a change of state, measured in joules.
Thermal energy transfer
Energy transferred by heating, measured in joules (J). When a substance is heated without changing state, this transfer increases its internal energy and raises its temperature.
Thermal equilibrium
A state in which there is no net energy transfer between a body and its surroundings because they are at the same temperature.
Thermal expansion
An increase in the volume of a substance as it warms. The thermal expansion of seawater contributes to sea-level rise.
Thermal expansion
The increase in volume of stellar material when heating makes its particles move faster and spread further apart.
Thermal expansion
An increase in the volume of a substance as its temperature rises.
Thermal image
An image made by detecting infrared radiation emitted by objects, allowing differences in temperature to be shown.
Thermal imaging
Producing an image from infrared radiation emitted by objects, revealing differences in their temperature.
Thermal inertia
A delay between energy being supplied to an object and the resulting temperature rise being fully detected.
Thermal infrared radiation
Electromagnetic radiation emitted by warm objects; the relatively cool Earth emits much of its energy as thermal infrared radiation.
Thermal insulation
A material or structure used to reduce the rate of energy transfer by heating.
Thermal insulation
Using insulating materials to reduce the rate of energy transfer by heating.
Thermal insulation
The ability of a material to reduce heat transfer, helping to retain warmth.
Thermal insulator
A material that reduces the rate at which thermal energy is transferred.
Thermal insulator
A material with low thermal conductivity that reduces the rate of energy transfer by conduction.
Thermal insulator
A material that slows energy transfer by heating through conduction.
Thermal radiation
Electromagnetic waves emitted by a body because of its temperature.
Thermal radiation
Electromagnetic radiation emitted by an object because of its temperature.
Thermal store
The energy store associated with the movement and arrangement of particles in an object.
Thermal store
Energy stored by an object because of the motion and arrangement of its particles.
Thermistor
A resistor whose resistance decreases as its temperature increases.
Thermistor
An electrical component whose resistance changes with temperature. For the thermistors studied here, resistance decreases as temperature increases.
Thermistor
A resistor whose resistance changes with temperature. In an NTC thermistor, resistance decreases as temperature increases.
Thermo-chromic
Describes a material that changes colour in response to heating or cooling.
Thermochromic material
A material that changes colour in response to a change in temperature.
Thermochromic pigment
A colouring substance that changes colour in response to a change in temperature.
Thermoforming plastic
A plastic that softens when heated and hardens when cooled, allowing it to be reshaped.
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