THERMAL ENERGY

THERMAL ENERGY

• The sum of the kinetic energies of all the particles in an object.
• Gaining thermal energy is heating
• Losing thermal energy is cooling

NATURAL SOURCES OF THERMAL ENERGY

• Our body
• Fossil fuel: natural gas, coal, and oil
• The sun
• Geothermal: geysers, volcanoes.
• Combustion: lightning

MANMADE SOURCES OF THERMAL ENERGY

• Nuclear reactions
• Oven
• Freezer/ refrigerator
• Ceiling fan
• Air conditioning

USES OF THERMAL ENERGY

• Cooking food
• Sterilization
• Keeps planet from being icy cold
• Run machines: to turn turbines to produce electricity
• To keep people warm: heaters, fire places, etc.