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Introduction

The main topic of this chapter is how thermal energy (heat) is transferred from one place to another. It also deals with what happens to a body when that body absorbs or loses thermal energy. To do this we will need to define the basic concepts of temperature, internal energy and thermal energy.

We will discuss the concept of thermal equilibrium, phase changes and basic calorimetry problems. We will pay particular attention to radiation (one of the methods of thermal energy transfer).