14 (c) Thermal Energy
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So far in this chapter, you have read about energy that involves the motion and position of an object. But an object can have other forms of kinetic and potential energy. Most of these other forms are associated with the particles that make up objects. These particles are far too small to see. Forms of energy associated with the particles of objects include thermal energy, electrical energy, chemical energy, nuclear energy, and electromagnetic energy.
Thermal Energy
All objects are made up of particles called atoms and molecules. Because these particles are constantly in motion, they have kinetic energy. The faster the particles move, the more kinetic energy they have. These particles are arranged in specific ways in different objects. Therefore, they also have potential energy. The total potential and kinetic energy of the particles in an object is called thermal energy. Look at Figure 6. Even though the lava may be flowing slowly down the volcano, its particles are moving quickly. Because the particles have a large amount of kinetic energy, the lava has a large amount of thermal energy.
Figure 6Thermal Energy The lava flowing from this volcano has a large amount of thermal energy. Predicting Will the thermal energy of the lava increase or decrease as it flows away from the volcano?
If you’ve ever eaten ice cream on a hot day, you’ve experienced thermal energy. Fast-moving particles in the warm air make the particles of ice cream move faster. As the kinetic energy of the particles increases, so does the thermal energy of the ice cream. Eventually, the ice cream melts.
Thermal Energy
All objects are made up of particles called atoms and molecules. Because these particles are constantly in motion, they have kinetic energy. The faster the particles move, the more kinetic energy they have. These particles are arranged in specific ways in different objects. Therefore, they also have potential energy. The total potential and kinetic energy of the particles in an object is called thermal energy. Look at Figure 6. Even though the lava may be flowing slowly down the volcano, its particles are moving quickly. Because the particles have a large amount of kinetic energy, the lava has a large amount of thermal energy.
Figure 6Thermal Energy The lava flowing from this volcano has a large amount of thermal energy. Predicting Will the thermal energy of the lava increase or decrease as it flows away from the volcano?
If you’ve ever eaten ice cream on a hot day, you’ve experienced thermal energy. Fast-moving particles in the warm air make the particles of ice cream move faster. As the kinetic energy of the particles increases, so does the thermal energy of the ice cream. Eventually, the ice cream melts.
