Thermal Energy

By virtue of its temperature, thermal energy is the internal energy existing in a system in thermodynamic equilibrium. Thermal energy is more difficult to convert to productive work than energy from systems that are not in thermodynamic equilibrium.

Thermal energy is associated with the movement of particles within an object, which can result in the generation of heat. Learn how thermal energy is used or can be used in a variety of applications, ranging from cooking to providing a renewable energy source.

As a result, thermal energy can be defined as an object’s ability to perform work as a result of particle movement.

Thermal energy

Thermal energy is the energy generated by a body’s atoms or molecules when they move. The thermal energy of a substance is proportional to its temperature. It’s also known as the measure of a substance’s constituent particles’ average kinetic energy, which is responsible for their movement. Thermodynamics is a branch of physics that investigates how heat is transferred across systems and how work is performed in the process.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The first law of thermodynamics is concerned with energy movement and how that energy causes movement.

Thermodynamic first law analyses the effects of pressure, volume, and temperature on systems like steam engines. We can comprehend how energy is shared throughout these systems as either heat or the ability to accomplish work by applying mathematical relationships.

When engineers worked to improve the efficiency of steam engines throughout the Industrial Age, they discovered this relationship between many sources of energy, including mechanical energy.

A heat engine is another name for a steam engine. It drives the pistons by converting the energy provided (heat) into “work” – in this example, mechanical energy. The first law of thermodynamics also posits that the total energy of a system does not change; it only changes form.

The definition of thermal energy required this insight. The “random motion of molecules” in a substance, set in motion by their intrinsic energy, produces thermal energy. Thermal energy is defined as the warmth or coolness of a substance as a result of the kinetic energy of its molecules.

Sources of Thermal Energy

Mechanical energy: Mechanical energy is the energy stored in objects as a result of tension. Mechanical energy is stored in compressed springs and stretched rubber bands, which can be transformed to heat energy. The energy released as a result of friction is a good example of thermal energy.

Chemical energy: The quantity of energy retained in the bonds between atoms and molecules is referred to as chemical energy. Batteries, biofuels, petroleum, natural gas, and coal all contain chemical energy. Chemical energy is converted to thermal energy when humans burn wood in a fireplace or gasoline in a motor engine.

Solar energy: It is one of the most efficient thermal energy producers. It is the most environmentally friendly and generally accessible thermal energy source.

Fossil fuels: Combustible chemicals created from the dead remnants of animals and plants buried deep beneath the earth’s surface for millions of years are known as fossil fuel. Coal, petroleum, natural gas, and other fossil fuels are examples.

Geothermal energy: The energy derived from the earth is known as geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is emitted by volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers, to name a few examples.

 Mass is linked with the thermal energy

Consider the following scenario: you have a glass of water and a beaker of water, both of which are the same temperature. The water volume in the beaker is twice that of the glass. The average kinetic energy of the water molecule is the same in both cases due to the same temperature.

The total kinetic energy of water molecules in the beaker, however, is twice that of water molecules in the glass due to the increased volume. As a result, the water in the beaker has twice the thermal energy of the water in the glass. As a result, as the mass of an object increases, so does its thermal energy.

Thermal Energy Application

The heated element of a stove stores thermal energy, and the higher the temperature, the more energy the stove has within. Even though you can’t see them, the molecules are moving. The more internal heat energy the molecules have, the faster they move. Place a container of water on top of the hot element right away. So, what’s going to happen next? The heat energy from the stove speeds up the movement of the particles in the pot and, eventually, the water.

It’s crucial to understand the differences between these terms. Heat refers to the transfer of thermal energy from one item or system to another in this context, with transfer being the key term. The energy stored within an object or system as a result of particle movement is known as thermal energy.

You may feel the heat if you place your palm above the stove. If you put a thermometer in the water as it heats up, you can see the temperature climb. Temperature rises in response to an increase in internal energy.

Thermal Energy from friction

Consider the situation of a man pushing a box across a rough floor at a constant speed. Because the friction force is non-conservative, the work done is not stored as potential energy. The work of the friction force results in a transfer of energy into the thermal energy of the box-floor system. This thermal energy is transferred to the box and the floor in the form of heat, elevating their temperatures.

Thermal Energy from Drag

When an object moves through a fluid, it imparts momentum to the fluid and causes it to flow. Even if the thing stopped moving, there would still be some fluid motion. This would fade away after a while.

The fluid’s large-scale motions are eventually re-distributed into a large number of smaller random motions of the fluid’s molecules. These motions represent the increased thermal energy in the system.

Thermal Energy Storage

A system that allows heat energy to be transported and stored is referred to as thermal energy storage. This plan is based on cutting-edge technology that works in concert with renewable energy sources like solar and hydropower. They can be stored so that a consistent supply of electricity can be maintained as demand rises.

A strategy for storing heat is referred to as “thermal energy storage.” It is obtained by continuously heating and cooling the storage system. During periods of low electrical demand or consumption, thermal energy (chilled or hot water) is generated, then stored in a thermal energy storage tank before being removed and provided to the facility during peak hours.

The top and bottom of the tank have diffusers that allow warm or cooled water to enter and exit the tank. Diffusers reduce turbulence and allow the tank’s water to stratify, with cooler water at the bottom and hotter water at the top. Between the warm and cold water zones, a small and abrupt transition layer of water forms.

Conclusion

Thermal energy is related to the movement of particles within an item, which can cause heat to be generated. Learn how thermal energy is used in a range of applications, from cooking to providing a renewable energy source.

The energy generated by a body’s atoms or molecules when they move is known as thermal energy. A substance’s thermal energy is proportional to its temperature. It’s also known as the average kinetic energy of a substance’s constituent particles, which is responsible for their movement.