Heat Energy Examples

Heat energy, also known as thermal energy, refers to the amount of kinetic energy molecules or atoms have at a certain point in time. The faster the molecules or atoms are moving, the more heat energy they have. If something has many particles moving very rapidly then we would feel that substance as being hot. If something has particles moving very slowly, then we would feel that substance as being cold. Heat and temperature are two different measurements, they are not the same thing. Temperature is a measure of the amount of heat energy contained within the substance.

1. A cup of fresh coffee is very hot because the water particles are vibrating very rapidly giving the coffee heat energy.

2. A popsicle has particles vibrating very slowly so there is a small amount of heat energy and the popsicle is cold.

3. A fire is a chemical reaction that is releasing energy as bonds are being broken, this energy is felt as warm or hot and is a release of heat energy.

4. A child's pool throughout the day is absorbing radiant energy from the sun. As a result the temperature of the water in the pool increases. This water is warm because the water molecules started moving faster from the sun and now have more heat energy.

5. Ice is added to a glass of water. The water has a higher temperature then the ice because its molecules are moving faster. This heat energy causes the ice to melt because the molecules in the ice are moving faster causing it to change to a liquid.