Thermal energy
Thermal energy is the energy a substance or system has related to its
temperature, i.e., the energy of moving or vibrating molecules. Atoms and
molecules, the smallest particles of any substance, are always in motion.
The motion of thermal energy is usually not visible, but we can feel or see its
effects. We use thermal energy to cook our food and heat our homes, and we
use it to generate electricity.
Thermal energy is not the same as heat. Heat is energy transferred
between substances or systems due to a temperature difference between
them. So it is correct to say that a system contains thermal energy, but
not that it "contains" heat, since heat means energy that is transferred from
one thing to another.
The amount of heat transferred by a substance depends on the speed and number
of atoms or molecules in motion. The faster the atoms or molecules move,
the higher the temperature, and the more atoms or molecules that are in motion,
the greater the quantity of heat they transfer.
temperature, i.e., the energy of moving or vibrating molecules. Atoms and
molecules, the smallest particles of any substance, are always in motion.
The motion of thermal energy is usually not visible, but we can feel or see its
effects. We use thermal energy to cook our food and heat our homes, and we
use it to generate electricity.
Thermal energy is not the same as heat. Heat is energy transferred
between substances or systems due to a temperature difference between
them. So it is correct to say that a system contains thermal energy, but
not that it "contains" heat, since heat means energy that is transferred from
one thing to another.
The amount of heat transferred by a substance depends on the speed and number
of atoms or molecules in motion. The faster the atoms or molecules move,
the higher the temperature, and the more atoms or molecules that are in motion,
the greater the quantity of heat they transfer.