Can someone briefly describe thermal energy?
http://www.softschools.com/facts/energy/thermal_energy_facts/402/
Thanks. 2 more questions please.
1. In the real world there are many insulators that you encounter every day. Give an example of a material that is an insulator and another material that is a conductor that you may use on a regular basis. Why do you think these materials were chosen for their particular function?
2. Food stores usually frozen foods that are open at the top. Why does the warm air not melt the food?
Certainly! Thermal energy refers to the energy that is associated with the motion of particles within a substance. When the particles, such as atoms or molecules, move faster, they have higher thermal energy. It is important to note that thermal energy is not the same as temperature, which is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles.
To understand thermal energy, one can consider the example of a cup of hot coffee. The particles of coffee molecules are in constant motion, vibrating and bumping into each other. This motion results in thermal energy, which we perceive as heat. As the coffee cools down, the particles' motion slows down, and its thermal energy decreases.
To calculate thermal energy, you can use the equation:
Thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change
Where:
- Mass refers to the amount of substance measured in kilograms (kg)
- Specific heat capacity is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of the substance by one degree Celsius (J/kg·°C)
- Temperature change is the difference between the final and initial temperatures (°C)
By knowing the mass, specific heat capacity, and temperature change, you can calculate the thermal energy of a substance.