What is the difference between thermal and heat energy?

Answer 1

Thermal energy is a quantity that can be measured in BTU or Calories. Heat transfer is just a method of transferring that energy from one place to another, or one part of a machine to another part. Heat transfer does not create any energy in itself.

Answer 2

The term "heat" is generally a vague and less desirable word. Heat transfer (delta Q) = delta U (change in internal energy of a system) + Work done by the system. This is part of the First Law of Thermodynamics. Whereas Thermal Energy is a form of internal energy caused by molecules in a substance that is in thermal equilibrium.

Answer 3

whether you are a physicist or not!

if your not..but want to sound like you know what you are talking about, you say "thermal energy" as if to mean heat.

But if you are a physicist you use no such word...instead there are about 5 ways to refer to heat in different situations.

saying "thermal energy" is nothing more than snobbiness (saying this instead of heat to sound more educated or informed), but in most cases its an honest mistake, and not one those outside of physics will understand they are making.

Answer 4

Thermal energy is the internal energy of a system due to the kinetic energy of its particles, while heat energy is the transfer of thermal energy from a hotter object to a cooler one. Thermal energy refers to the overall energy content of a system, while heat energy specifically involves the transfer of energy.

Answer 5

Heat is thermal energy flowing from particles of one object to particles of another object. Thermal energy is the type of energy of moving particles in an object