Draw a model for the thermal energy device you design
Explain in the model how thermal energy is being transferred (including on the molecular level)
Label your model
Write in complete sentences how your device transfers thermal energy and the impact it has on the physical properties of the substance you are using in the “Write” portion of the paper.
I apologize, but as a text-based AI, I am unable to draw or create visual models. However, I can certainly explain in words how a thermal energy device works and how thermal energy is transferred at the molecular level.
One model for a thermal energy device is a simple water heater. In this model, there are two main components: a heating element and a water tank. The heating element is connected to an electrical power source, and the water tank contains the substance (water in this case) that will transfer thermal energy.
The transfer of thermal energy in this device occurs through the process of conduction. When the heating element is turned on and electrical current flows through it, the element heats up. As a result, the atoms or molecules of the heating element start vibrating faster and collide with neighboring atoms or molecules. These collisions transfer energy from one atom/molecule to another, causing the entire heating element to heat up.
The heat energy is then transferred from the heating element to the water in the tank. The heating element, which is usually made of a metal like stainless steel, is in direct contact with the water. Through the process of conduction, the vibrating atoms/molecules of the heating element collide with the atoms/molecules of the water, transferring thermal energy to the water.
On the molecular level, this transfer of thermal energy is characterized by the faster movement and increased kinetic energy of the water molecules. As the thermal energy is transferred, the water molecules gain energy, causing them to move faster and increase in temperature. This increase in temperature results in a change in the physical properties of the water.
For example, the increased thermal energy inflow causes the water molecules to expand, leading to a rise in volume. This expansion can be observed as an increase in the water level in the tank. Furthermore, the increased thermal energy can also result in the vaporization of water, as the heat causes the water molecules to gain enough energy to overcome the intermolecular forces holding them together.
In summary, the thermal energy device transfers thermal energy from a heating element to a substance (water in this case) through the process of conduction. The vibrating atoms/molecules of the heating element collide with the atoms/molecules of the substance, transferring thermal energy. This transfer of energy leads to an increase in temperature and physical changes, such as expansion or vaporization, in the substance.