Use the idea of a thermos flask to explain conduction, convection and radiation. Comment also how a thermos flask can reduce heat loss.

Conduction is the transfer of heat caused by the collision of particles inside a substance and between substances. In order to reduce heat loss, some thermos flasks have a vacuum between the container of the substance and the outside part of the flask, so no collisions can happen and no heat is lost.
Radiation is the emission of an electromagnetic wave due to the excited state of an atom. Except when the atom is at absolute 0, it will emit radiation. In order to prevent heat loss from this electromagnetic wave, thermos flasks are reflective inside, so all radiation is reflected inside flask.
Convection is the flow of heat due to the movement of a substance relative to its source. The air can only move within the thermos flask, because it is air tight, so it will not affect as a source of heat loss.

Answered by Felipe R. Physics tutor

6872 Views

See similar Physics IB tutors

Related Physics IB answers

All answers ▸

A ball in a room is thrown with a speed v = 15 m/s at an angle 45 degrees above the horizontal. If the ceiling is 4 m high, will the ball hit the ceiling? If so, what is the minimum angle at which the ball will not hit the ceiling? Neglect air resistance.


Describe the key difference between a scalar and a vector quantity


How would I write the binary number 11001 in decimal form?


An electron is trapped within a square well potential of width 10 nm. What would be the wavelength of the photon emitted when an electron moves from the first energy level to the ground level.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences