Thermal energy vs Chemical energy

[kawfee]

Hello all,

I'm confused- when do I use the terms thermal energy and chemical energy?

So for heat of reaction: is it thermal or chemical energy that is being absorbed/released in the reaction?

And for example, when it's an endo reaction, is it thermal or chemical E or some other kind of energy that is being absorbed from the immediate environment, thus consequently decreasing the temperature   ?

Thank you!

[thushan]

Thermal energy is the energy that makes stuff hot. Chemical energy is the energy contained within bonds between chemicals.

Thermal energy is being converted to something else if the temperature is cooling (since thermal energy is the energy that makes stuff hot).

Eg - endothermic reaction: There is a gain in chemical energy. Where does this chemical energy come from? It comes from thermal energy. There is, therefore, a net loss of thermal energy (remember - energy cannot be created or destroyed). Hence, since thermal energy decreases, the temperature is lower.

[kawfee]

Thermal energy is the energy that makes stuff hot. Chemical energy is the energy contained within bonds between chemicals.

Thermal energy is being converted to something else if the temperature is cooling (since thermal energy is the energy that makes stuff hot).

Eg - endothermic reaction: There is a gain in chemical energy. Where does this chemical energy come from? It comes from thermal energy. There is, therefore, a net loss of thermal energy (remember - energy cannot be created or destroyed). Hence, since thermal energy decreases, the temperature is lower.

So...if we were to define Heat of Reaction...do we say; this indicates the chemical energy that is either  absorbed or released?

because in the txt book it  just says 'energy...' and I also want to know if we have to be specific?

thank you!

[thushan]

Heat is a form by which energy is transferred.

When you define the heat of reaction, I would say "the change in chemical energy during a reaction". But what you said is fine as well.

[kawfee]

Ok , thank you very much!

[TimewaveZero]

It's probably worth noting, somebody correct me if i'm wrong, but thermal energy is the sum of the kinetic energy of the particles, whereas chemical energy, like thushan said, is the energy in the chemical bonds.