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Heat Energy - Definition, Sources Of Heat Energy And Examples, FAQs

Heat Energy - Definition, Sources Of Heat Energy And Examples, FAQs

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Sep 24, 2024 05:22 PM IST

In this article we will be discussing heat energy, definition for heat energy in science, sources of heat energy, heat is form of energy, uses and examples for heat energy, images of heat energy, what is thermal energy and its examples.

What is heat energy?

Heat energy is also defined as thermal energy. Some of them think that if we touch something we feel hot is known as heat or heat energy. But in science heat energy is defined as energy flow from warm substance to cooler substance. Heat is the main form of energy for the people to survive in this world. Heat energy is the main vital source for earth. For example the change of seasons, flow of wind happens because of this heat which prevails unevenly around the earth. The h eat energy is measured in joules (J).

Heat Energy - Definition, Sources Of Heat Energy And Examples, FAQs
Heat Energy - Definition, Sources Of Heat Energy And Examples, FAQs

The heat energy is everywhere around us. Even in volcanoes, icebergs, in every object heat is present. The movement of molecules, atoms or ions particles in the solid, gas and liquid is due to heat in the object. The heat will flow from one object to another object which depends upon the temperature difference. Basically the heat will flow from warmer regions to colder regions.

heat energy eg flame

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Transfer of heat:

When the temperature of the body is increased, the molecules in the body will start vibrating more. These vibrations will transfer from one part of the body to another part of the body. This vibrating energy of the molecules is termed as heat energy. The heat will transfer from the heat region to the cold region. This will be termed as energy from the molecules which vibrate faster will transfer to the molecules which vibrate slower. This molecule's vibration is called heat content. When the heat content is high, then the body is hot.

Heat is a form of energy. Heat is the capacity to do work. For example when ice which is solid material when absorbs heat will convert to liquid form like water. This process is called melting so here the heat is the energy which will convert to another form. Another example is boiling in which the liquid is converted to vapor phase. Heat is represented in Joules. Heat energy can be converted to another form like light energy using a bulb, mechanical energy using a motor.

Heat energy will be transmitted in following types

  • Conduction
  • Convection
  • Radiation

Conduction:

Conduction is the process of heat transfer that happens in solid. The gases and liquid are poor conductors of heat. When the solid is heated, the molecules inside the solid will gain energy because of this the molecules will vibrate. During this process, the molecules when vibrated will transfer heat from one molecule to another molecule. Because of this process the heat will transfer.

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Convection:

Convection is the process of heat transfer that happens in liquid and gas. When the water is heated up the water molecules will gain energy and move apart. The air molecules will become less dense and will rise. When it cooled down it became water again.

Radiation:

Radiation is the process that occurs in the sun i.e the transmission of heat energy from sun. This type of transmission of heat energy does not require any medium. In this process the heat waves from the hot object will radiate around it.

heat transfer mechanism convection radiation conduction

Sources of heat energy

  • Sun, which is the main source of heat energy. Sun will be used as light energy, food resources, for electricity production.
  • Electricity which will produce heat energy through stove, gas burner, incandescent lamp.
  • Chemical energy is used to produce heat energy through chemical process
  • Nuclear energy is used to produce heat energy through nuclear processes like nuclear fusion.

So heat is the process to do work. The heat is converted to various forms for some useful process.

Classification of heat:

Heat is classified into

  • Hot
  • Cold

Hot is a term that refers to a body with high heat content. Examples of heat are sun, stove, volcanic eruptions etc.

cold is a term that refers to a body with low heat content. Examples are air conditioners, cold water etc.

uses of heat energy:

  • For domestic purposes like cooking, agriculture needs
  • For industrial purposes like electricity production, manufacture purposes
  • For production purposes like baking, moulding.

examples of thermal energy:

  • The main supply of thermal energy is sun
  • A cup which is hot
  • Stove burner
  • Gas engines, automobile engines, diesel engines that heats up
  • Hot gas balloon

NCERT Physics Notes:

heat

All these are the topics included in the heat energy definition 5th grade.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. State the difference between heat and temperature?

Heat 

Temperature

Heat is referred to as transfer of energy in the system between the molecules.

Temperature is referred as the physical quantity which will  outlines the coldness and hot of the object

Heat is measured in Joules

Temperature is measured in Rankine and Celsius or Fahrenheit or Kelvin.

Heat deals with heat energy

Temperature deals with kinetic energy of the molecules

Principle of calorimeter is used to measure heat

Thermometer is used to measure temperature

Heat energy depends upon mass, temperature, material of the object

Temperature depends upon the molecules kinetic energy

The heat will flow from one object to another object which depends upon the temperature difference. i.e flows from hot object to cold object

Temperature of the body is high if the body is heated and low if the body is cools down

The ability of doing work is heat

Temperature is measure of heat

2. How is heat transmitted?

Heat is transmitted in three ways. They are

  • Conduction

  • Convection

  • Radiation

Conduction: Conduction is the process of heat transfer that happens in solid. The gases and liquid are poor conductors of heat. 

Convection: Convection is the process of heat transfer that happens in liquid and gas. 

Radiation: Radiation is the process of the transmission of heat energy from the sun. This type of transmission of heat energy does not require any medium.

3. State the sources of heat energy?

The heat energy is everywhere around us. Even in volcanoes, icebergs, in every object heat is present. Heat is the main form of energy for the people to survive in this world. Heat energy is the main vital source for earth.

  • Sun

  • Electricity 

  • Chemical energy

  • Nuclear energy    

4. What are the uses for thermal energy
  • Domestic usage

  • Industrial function

  • Production function

5. State some samples of thermal energy
  • The main supply of thermal energy is sun 

  • A  cup which is hot

  • Stove burner

  • Gas engines, automobile engines, diesel engines that heats up  

  • Hot  gas balloon

6. Is heat a form of energy?

Yes, heat is a form of energy that can be transferred from one body to another.

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