Examples of Thermal Energy

Fire is the origin of stone. By working the stone with heat, I am returning it to its source. ~ Andy Goldsworthy

Fire and heat are, indeed, the very source of life. It is by the presence or absence of heat in an organism that we determine whether or not any spark of life still flickers within the confines of its cells. As much as an excess of heat might wreak unimagined havoc to animate and inanimate objects alike, an absence of it cannot be done without. Thermal energy is the energy produced by heat of any kind. It is a kind of kinetic energy as this kind of energy is produced when the molecules of a heat-producing body or object experience an acceleration in their velocity or an increase in their molecular activities. This causes the molecules to collide against each other with great force, causing a lot of molecular friction, producing more heat as a result. There are many instances of thermal energy all around us. Let's discuss some common examples to better understand what this energy-form is and how it works.

Thermal Energy Examples

Before we take a tour of some common examples, let's go through a brief discussion of the three different forms in which thermal energy can exist. Thermal energy can exist either by way of radiation, latent absorption or by application of direct heat. Radiation occurs when heat energy is transmitted through space and all objects within close vicinity of the radiating source picks up the heat. Latent heat energy can occur when an object absorbs energy in due course of an activity. Chemical reactions are a common example of latent heat energy. The third kind is the most simple kind of heat energy in which an object is either hot itself (fire) or is heated by direct exposure to a naturally hot object (live coals).

Solar Energy
This is perhaps the most commonly harnessed thermal energy form we can see around us. Solar energy is being used on a large scale for industrial as well as domestic heating purposes. Ever heard about solar water heaters gaining more popularity these over conventional geysers on ecological grounds? Well, it's true!

Heat Energy from the Oceans
This type of energy is harnessed by utilizing the difference between the temperatures of the deep and shallow water areas in the oceans. Oceans and large water surfaces have huge thermal energy storage potential as they are exposed to the direct rays of the sun for very long durations. With the right technology, this heat energy can be harvested to power a lot of heavy applications and power consuming machinery for the benefit of civilization, without imposing a heavy cost on Nature.

Geothermal Energy
This is the energy that is generated from the radioactive decay of various natural minerals and from volcanic activities that is contained in the earth's crust. This energy is both produced by and stored inside the earth's crust. Also, the Earth absorbs a lot of solar energy and this energy also gets stored in the form of geothermal energy. Instances of the existence of geothermal energy can be seen in the form of natural hot springs, warm ocean currents, etc. Geothermal energy is being used to generate electricity in many countries for quite some time now.

Those were some common examples of thermal energy. Forms and concepts of this energy-form form the basis of the study of thermodynamics and heat energy is, probably, the most ancient energy form employed by mankind before the discovery of petroleum and nuclear energy sources.