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7 Dec 2025
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Understanding Heat Energy Transfer - Physics P2 Study Guide
Patryk Wielgus
@patryk_wielgus
1 / 3
Understanding Heat Conduction
Ever wondered why metal spoons get hot in your tea but plastic ones don't? It's all about thermal conductors - materials that let heat move through them easily. Metals are brilliant at this because of their free electrons that carry energy around.
The speed at which heat moves depends on three key factors: how big the temperature difference is, how thick the material is, and what it's actually made of. Think of it like water flowing through a pipe - the bigger the pressure difference and the wider the pipe, the faster it flows.
Insulation works by doing the opposite - it reduces energy transfer to keep heat where you want it. This is why people spend money on home insulation - it literally saves them cash on heating bills by keeping warm air inside where it belongs.
Quick Tip: In your practical experiment, you'll measure how temperature changes over time by timing cooling water every 2 minutes for 20 minutes.
Keeping Homes Warm and Heat Loss Prevention
Your home is constantly losing heat through five main escape routes, but there are clever ways to block each one. Double glazing traps air between glass panes because air is rubbish at conducting heat. Loft insulation stops warm air from sneaking out through your roof.
Cavity wall insulation involves pumping special material into the gap between your walls. This stops heat escaping and prevents convection currents from forming. Even simple things like carpets and draught excluders make a real difference to your energy bills.
Infrared radiation is the invisible electromagnetic wave that carries heat energy - you can actually feel it on your skin when you're near something warm. All objects give off this radiation, and the hotter they are, the more they emit.
A perfect black body absorbs every bit of radiation that hits it, making it also the best possible emitter. This is why dark, matt surfaces heat up faster than shiny, light-coloured ones.
Real World Connection: Earth's temperature depends entirely on balancing the infrared radiation we absorb from the sun with what we emit back to space.
Measuring Heat and Specific Heat Capacity
The Leslie cube practical shows you how different surfaces emit infrared radiation at different rates. You'll fill it with boiling water, let the surfaces heat up for a minute, then use an infrared detector to measure emission intensity from each surface at the same distance.
Specific heat capacity tells you how much energy you need to heat up 1kg of something by 1°C. It's like asking "how stubborn is this material about getting warmer?" The formula is straightforward: Energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change.
Materials with high specific heat capacity need loads of energy to warm up (like water), whilst others heat up quickly with just a little energy (like metals). This explains why water takes ages to boil but a metal pan heats up almost instantly.
In the required practical, you'll heat an aluminium block with an electrical heater, measuring voltage and current every minute for 10 minutes. Even after switching off, the temperature keeps rising for a bit - this is normal and shows heat is still spreading through the block.
Exam Success: Remember that specific heat capacity can be rearranged - you might need to find heat capacity = energy ÷ (mass × temperature change).
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding Heat Energy Transfer - Physics P2 Study Guide
Patryk Wielgus
@patryk_wielgus
Energy transfer is happening all around you - from the warmth you feel from sunlight to why your house stays cosy in winter. Understanding how heat moves through different materials is crucial for everything from building efficient homes to designing... Show more
Understanding Heat Conduction
Ever wondered why metal spoons get hot in your tea but plastic ones don't? It's all about thermal conductors - materials that let heat move through them easily. Metals are brilliant at this because of their free electrons that carry energy around.
The speed at which heat moves depends on three key factors: how big the temperature difference is, how thick the material is, and what it's actually made of. Think of it like water flowing through a pipe - the bigger the pressure difference and the wider the pipe, the faster it flows.
Insulation works by doing the opposite - it reduces energy transfer to keep heat where you want it. This is why people spend money on home insulation - it literally saves them cash on heating bills by keeping warm air inside where it belongs.
Quick Tip: In your practical experiment, you'll measure how temperature changes over time by timing cooling water every 2 minutes for 20 minutes.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Keeping Homes Warm and Heat Loss Prevention
Your home is constantly losing heat through five main escape routes, but there are clever ways to block each one. Double glazing traps air between glass panes because air is rubbish at conducting heat. Loft insulation stops warm air from sneaking out through your roof.
Cavity wall insulation involves pumping special material into the gap between your walls. This stops heat escaping and prevents convection currents from forming. Even simple things like carpets and draught excluders make a real difference to your energy bills.
Infrared radiation is the invisible electromagnetic wave that carries heat energy - you can actually feel it on your skin when you're near something warm. All objects give off this radiation, and the hotter they are, the more they emit.
A perfect black body absorbs every bit of radiation that hits it, making it also the best possible emitter. This is why dark, matt surfaces heat up faster than shiny, light-coloured ones.
Real World Connection: Earth's temperature depends entirely on balancing the infrared radiation we absorb from the sun with what we emit back to space.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Measuring Heat and Specific Heat Capacity
The Leslie cube practical shows you how different surfaces emit infrared radiation at different rates. You'll fill it with boiling water, let the surfaces heat up for a minute, then use an infrared detector to measure emission intensity from each surface at the same distance.
Specific heat capacity tells you how much energy you need to heat up 1kg of something by 1°C. It's like asking "how stubborn is this material about getting warmer?" The formula is straightforward: Energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change.
Materials with high specific heat capacity need loads of energy to warm up (like water), whilst others heat up quickly with just a little energy (like metals). This explains why water takes ages to boil but a metal pan heats up almost instantly.
In the required practical, you'll heat an aluminium block with an electrical heater, measuring voltage and current every minute for 10 minutes. Even after switching off, the temperature keeps rising for a bit - this is normal and shows heat is still spreading through the block.
Exam Success: Remember that specific heat capacity can be rearranged - you might need to find heat capacity = energy ÷ (mass × temperature change).
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content: Heat Transfer
Most popular content in Physics
Most popular content
Chemistry paper 1 aqa
This is the aqa exam board for triple highwe
Chemistry10
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user