We have been learning about physical and chemical changes but do you know what these matter of changes needs the most? Energy. An example of energy is thermal energy.Thermal energy is the most common form of energy that is realeased or absorbed when matter change (endothermic and exothermic changes). Thermal energy also comes from the sun. The nuclear fusion in the sun increases the sun's thermal energy and when the thermal energy leaves the sun as a form of radiation it gives heat to the sun. This type of energy can also occur when we rub our hands together. Our mechanical energy increases the thermal energy content of the atoms in our hands and skin.
Thermal energy is an example of kinetic energy (energy of motion) because thermal energy is caused by the random movement of it's atoms and molecules. It is also caused by heat. There are three laws of thermal energy or thermodynamics. The first law states that thermal energy can be converted without loss. The second law states that any system moves towards its propable state of energy.The third law states that thermal energy deals with the state of a system of atoms ad molecules at an absolute zero temperature.
Thermal energy, I believe, is the most important energy. If there were no thermal energy then we wouldn't be have heat for example, heat from the sun. I feel that heat is important in the humankind because we need heat for growing crops and etc.
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