Say It Right: Precise Language for SPM Physics Success (Precision in Heat Terminology)

 

Terms to Avoid in topic Heat and Suggested Alternatives:

1.      "Easily":

Reason: This term is subjective and lacks precision.

Alternative: Be specific about what is easy. For example, "copper conducts heat efficiently" instead of "copper easily conducts heat".

2.      "Good conductor" or "Bad conductor":

Reason: While not incorrect, these terms are non-specific.

Alternative: Use "high thermal conductivity" or "low thermal conductivity" to provide quantitative context.

3.      "Hot" or "Cold";

Reason: These terms are relative and imprecise.

Alternative: Use specific temperatures or describe the thermal state more precisely, e.g., "at a high temperature of 100°C"//

4.      "Heat goes into" or "Heat comes out" Sec B, Q9(SPM 2017)::

Reason: These phrases are too simplistic and lack technical detail.

Alternative: Use "heat is transferred to" ,"heat is conducted away from", "reduce heat

transfer".

5.      "Heats up quickly" or "Cools down slowly", Sec B, Q9(SPM 2017) & Sec C, Q11(SPM 2022):

Reason: These terms are imprecise without context.

Alternative: Use terms like "has a low specific heat capacity" or "has a high specific

heat capacity".

6.      "Keeps heat in" or "Lets heat out", Sec C, Q11(SPM 2022):

Reason: These phrases are not technically descriptive.

Alternative: Use "acts as an insulator" // "acts as a conductor"//poor heat conductor.

7.      "Easily heated" or "Hard to heat":

Reason: These terms are too subjective.

Alternative: Use "low specific heat capacity" or "high specific heat capacity".  

8.      “Not easily hot” Sec C, Q11(SPM 2022):

            Reason: These terms are too subjective.

Alternative: Use low thermal conductivity, or slow to absorb heat. 

9.     More air in or More air out, Sec C, Q11(SPM 2022):

           Reason: The phrase "more air in" or "more air out" is vague and does not specify the mechanism or effectiveness of the air movement.

           Alternative: Effective air circulation, Efficient air exchange or Optimal ventilation

1   Heat Resistance

           Reason: Rarely used in scientific literature because of its ambiguity.

           Alternative: Thermal Insulation

           Example: "The material provides excellent thermal insulation, reducing heat transfer."

           Alternative: High Thermal Resistivity

           Example: "Materials with high thermal resistivity are ideal for minimizing heat transfer."

1.     Heat not trapped

        Reason: This phrase is vague and doesn't specify the mechanism by which heat is managed. It could imply a general idea that heat is not being retained, but it lacks detail.

          Alternative: efficient heat dissipation or effective heat escape.