thermal energy
Warmth from movement
Thermal energy is the energy contained in a system due to the motion of its particles—the faster molecules move, the more thermal energy they possess.
It's often used interchangeably with heat, though physicists distinguish between the two: thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of particles, while heat is thermal energy being transferred.
The thermal energy of the sun warms the Earth's surface.
Movement of particles
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
- atomsSmallest elemental units
- moleculesBonded atomic groups
- randomnessLack of predictable pattern
Movement of thermal energy
- conductionHeat transfer through contact
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
- enthalpyThermodynamic total heat quantity
joule · BTU · kilocalorie · specific heat · heat capacity · calorimeter · latent heat · entropy
Heat you feel
- cozyWarm and snug
- body heatThermal energy from metabolism
- hypothermiaDangerously low body temperature
- hyperthermiaDangerously elevated body temperature
fever · sweat · shivering · flushing · sunburn · frostbite · wind chill · humidity
Thermal transfer prevention
- heat sinkDevice absorbing component warmth
- furnaceEnclosed heat-producing structure
- boilerWater-heating vessel
- radiatorHeat transfer device
heat pump · HVAC · water heater · heat exchanger · cooking · refrigeration
Heat-measuring instrument
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- temperature scaleNumbered heat-measuring system
- pyrometerRemote high-temperature measurer
- thermocoupleDual-metal temperature sensor
molecular motion
Movement of particles
randomness · collisions · temperature · excitation · diffusion
heat transfer
Movement of thermal energy
- conductionHeat transfer through contact
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
enthalpy · joule · BTU · kilocalorie · specific heat · heat capacity · calorimeter · latent heat · entropy · work
warmth
Heat you feel
- cozyWarm and snug
- body heatThermal energy from metabolism
- hypothermiaDangerously low body temperature
hyperthermia · fever · sweat · shivering · flushing · sunburn · frostbite · wind chill · humidity
insulation
Thermal transfer prevention
- heat sinkDevice absorbing component warmth
- furnaceEnclosed heat-producing structure
- boilerWater-heating vessel
radiator · heat pump · HVAC · water heater · heat exchanger · cooking · refrigeration
thermometer
Heat-measuring instrument
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- temperature scaleNumbered heat-measuring system
- pyrometerRemote high-temperature measurer
- energyelectricity, power, oil, fuel, gas
- natural resourcescrude oil, lumber, water, gas, air
- energy sourcesoil, gas, coal, solar, wind
- energy systemspower plant, electricity, power grid, generators, solar power
- heatheat transfer, heatwave, radiation, convection, insulators
- ocean resourcesfish stocks, seafood, fisheries, shellfish, kelp
thermal energymechanical energy
Energy from motion/position
kinetic energy · potential energy · electrical energy · chemical energy · nuclear energy
energy, energetic, energize, thermal, energizing, thermostat, energized, energizer, thermals