Thermal Energy

Radiation

A person placing their cold hands over a warm fire

Radiation

A person placing their hand over a hot burner

Conduction

A pot sitting on a burner.

Radiation

Does not require physical contact

Convection

How the inside of a greenhouse works.

Radiation

Lying out in the sun to get a tan

Conduction

Picking up a hot cup of coffee

Convection

Putting your wet shoes on a floor vent to dry them faster

Convection

Spaghetti rising and falling in a pot of boiling water

Conduction

The transfer of energy through matter using direct contact

Convection

The transfer of heat in a circular motion through liquids and gases.

Radiation

The transfer of heat through empty space

Conduction

Touching a metal spoon that is sitting in a pot of boiling water

Conduction

Using a heating blanket to get warm

Good conductor

metal

Poor conductor

plastic