Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of particles in a substance due to their random motion. It is often associated with temperature and measured in joules.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Thermal energy depends on both the temperature and the mass of a substance.
It can be transferred between objects through conduction, convection, and radiation.
Specific heat capacity is a property that indicates how much thermal energy is needed to change the temperature of a substance.
The first law of thermodynamics states that thermal energy can be converted into other forms of energy but cannot be created or destroyed.
The concept of entropy is related to the distribution and dispersal of thermal energy within a system.
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Related terms
Conduction: The process by which thermal energy is directly transmitted through a substance when there is a difference in temperature.
Convection: The transfer of thermal energy through fluid motion, where warmer areas move to cooler areas creating a circulation pattern.
Radiation: The transfer of thermal energy via electromagnetic waves without involving particles or direct contact between objects.