Transfer of heat energy

Abstract

After reading this chapter you should

• be able to distinguish between conduction, convection, and radiation

• be able to describe each of the ways in which heat is transferred

• know that heat naturally flows from hotter bodies to cooler ones

• understand aspects of house design that increase the comfort of its occupants

• be able to use U-values to estimate rates of heat loss from a building in winter

• understand the principles of roof lagging and double glazing in houses

• understand how the rate of heatflow into or out of a vacuum flask is reduced

• be able to discuss heatflow in a central heating system.