Thermal energy

Energy is the ability of the body to do work. There are its following types: electric, mechanical, gravitational, nuclear, chemical, electromagnetic, thermal and others.

The first is the energy of electrons moving along the chain. Often it is used to obtain mechanical by means of electric motors.

The second is manifested in the motion, the interaction of individual particles and bodies. It is the energy of deformation during stretching, bending, twisting and contraction of elastic bodies.

Chemical energy arises from chemical reactions between substances. It can be released in the form of heat (for example, during combustion), and also converted to electrical (in batteries and cells).

Electromagnetic is manifested as a result of the movement of magnetic and electric fields in the form of infrared and x-rays, radio waves, etc. The nuclear is contained in radioactive substances and is released as a result of fission of heavy nuclei or synthesis of the lungs. Gravitational - the energy that is caused by gravity of massive bodies (gravity).

Thermal energy arises in connection with the chaotic motion of molecules, atoms and other particles. It can be released as a result of mechanical action (friction), chemical reaction (combustion) or nuclear (nuclear fission). Most often, thermal energy occurs as a result of the combustion of various types of fuel. It is used for heating, evaporation, heating and other technological processes.

Thermal energy is one of the forms of energy that occurs as a result of mechanical vibrations of the structural elements of a substance. The parameter that makes it possible to determine whether it can be used as an energy source is the energy potential. It can be expressed in kilowatts (thermal) hours or in joules.

The sources of thermal energy are divided into:

• Primary. The energy potential of a substance is due to natural processes. Such sources include oceans, seas, fossil fuels, etc. Primary sources are divided into inexhaustible, renewable and non-renewable. The first include thermal waters and substances that can be used to produce thermonuclear energy, and the like. The second class includes the energy of the sun, wind, water. Still others include gas, oil, peat, coal, etc .;
• Secondary. These are substances whose energy potential directly depends on people's activities. For example, it is heated ventilation emissions, municipal waste, hot waste heat of industrial production (steam, water, gas), etc.

Thermal energy is currently produced by burning fossil fuels. The main sources are crude oil, coal, natural gas. Due to natural resources , 90% of the total energy consumption is provided. However, the use of atomic energy is increasing every day.

Renewables are almost never used. This is due to the complexity of the technology of their transformation into thermal energy, as well as the low energy potential of some of them.

Thermal energy arises as a result of the interaction of photons of the infrared range with external electrons. The latter absorb photons and move to the orbits far from the nucleus. Thus, the volume of matter increases. Through the photons of the infrared range, heat energy is transferred. In particular, photons in the collision of molecules and atoms with each other jump from the zone of increased concentration of carriers of thermal energy in those zones where it is lowered.

Thermal energy can be expressed in the formula: ΔQ = cmΔT. C is the specific heat of the substance, m is the body mass, and ΔT is the temperature difference.