This topic summary covers Topic Summary: Heat Transfer within Heat Transfer for GCSE Physics. Revise Heat Transfer in Energy for GCSE Physics with 14 exam-style questions and 11 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 17 of 17 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 17 of 17
Practice
14 questions
Recall
11 flashcards
Topic Summary: Heat Transfer
Key Terms
- Conduction: particle vibrations transfer energy (solids/metals)
- Convection: fluid movement transfers energy (fluids only)
- Radiation: infrared waves transfer energy (all media + vacuum)
- Free electrons: responsible for metal's high conductivity
Key Facts
- Conduction: particles don't move, only vibrate
- Convection: hot fluid rises (less dense), cool sinks
- Radiation: works in vacuum; black surfaces best absorbers/emitters
- Metals conduct well due to free electrons
What Works Where
- Solids: conduction only
- Fluids: convection (and conduction)
- Vacuum: radiation only
- Thermos flask: vacuum blocks conduction + convection; silvered walls reduce radiation
Exam Tips
- Convection needs density change — mention this in explanations
- Metals: free electrons make them better conductors
- Black surfaces: best absorbers AND best emitters
- Trapped air = good insulator (poor conduction, no convection)