Thermal Energy

Thermal energy is the energy that comes from heat. It is the energy that comes from the internal vibrations of atoms and molecules within a substance. The greater the internal energy of a substance, the more thermal energy it has.

Study Guide

1. Definition: Thermal energy is the internal energy of an object due to the kinetic energy of its atoms and/or molecules.
2. Units: The SI unit of thermal energy is the joule (J).
3. Forms of Thermal Energy: Thermal energy can exist in various forms such as heat energy, radiant energy, and mechanical energy.
4. Transfer of Thermal Energy: Thermal energy can be transferred through conduction, convection, and radiation.
5. Temperature and Thermal Energy: Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, whereas thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of all the particles in a substance.
6. Applications: Thermal energy has various applications in everyday life, including heating systems, cooking, and generating electricity.
7. Thermal Expansion: Many materials expand when heated due to the increase in thermal energy.