Thermal Energy

Thermal energy is the energy that comes from heat. It is the internal energy of a substance due to the motion and position of its particles. The faster the particles move, the more thermal energy they have.

Key Concepts

1. Particle Motion: The particles in a substance are constantly moving. When they move faster, the substance has more thermal energy.
2. Temperature: Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. The higher the temperature, the more thermal energy the substance has.
3. Heat Transfer: Thermal energy can be transferred from one object to another through conduction, convection, or radiation.
4. Thermal Equilibrium: When two objects are in thermal contact, heat will transfer between them until they reach the same temperature, at which point they are in thermal equilibrium.

Examples of Thermal Energy

Some everyday examples of thermal energy include:

• A hot cup of coffee
• The warmth of the sun on a sunny day
• A burning candle
• A boiling pot of water

Study Tips

When studying thermal energy, it's helpful to:

1. Understand the relationship between particle motion, temperature, and thermal energy.
2. Learn about the different ways thermal energy can be transferred.
3. Practice solving problems involving heat transfer and thermal equilibrium.
4. Explore real-life examples of thermal energy in action.