Thermal energy

Thermal Energy

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Hot metalwork is an example of thermal energy in action.

Thermal energy is the internal energy present in a system due to its temperature. It is a form of kinetic energy resulting from the movement of atoms and molecules within a substance. Thermal energy is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics, which is the branch of physics that deals with heat and temperature and their relation to energy and work.

Sources of Thermal Energy

Thermal energy can be generated through various processes, including:

• Conduction: The transfer of heat through a material without the movement of the material itself. This occurs when there is a temperature difference between two parts of a material.
• Convection: The transfer of heat by the physical movement of a fluid (such as air or water) from one place to another.
• Radiation: The transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves. Unlike conduction and convection, radiation does not require a medium to transfer heat.

Applications of Thermal Energy

Thermal energy has numerous applications in everyday life and industrial processes:

• Heating systems: Thermal energy is used in residential and commercial heating systems to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.
• Power generation: Many power plants convert thermal energy into electrical energy using steam turbines.
• Cooking: Thermal energy is essential in cooking processes, where heat is transferred to food to cook it.

Measurement of Thermal Energy

Thermal energy is often measured in units of joules or calories. The amount of thermal energy in a system can be calculated using the formula:

\[ Q = mc\Delta T \]

where:

• \( Q \) is the thermal energy in joules,
• \( m \) is the mass of the substance in kilograms,
• \( c \) is the specific heat capacity of the substance in joules per kilogram per degree Celsius,
• \( \Delta T \) is the change in temperature in degrees Celsius.

Related Pages

• Heat transfer
• Thermodynamics
• Kinetic theory of gases
• Specific heat capacity