Expert: Dr. Henry Boyter, Jr. - 2/27/2006

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Hello. I am hoping you can please help me out with this question, since there are no experts on thermodynaimcs here at these forums yet.

I'd like to know, are there any other (new) forms of thermodynaic energy besides fire, ice, lava and magna? Please let me know. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Jason Goldman
JGoldman10@yahoo.com
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None of the things you listed are a form of energy.  Fire, lava, and magma could be considered SOURCES of thermal power.  Ice would not fit.  Other sources of thermal power include solar (also called UV,Infra-red) and nuclear.

Thank you.
Specifically, what forms of cold energy are there besides ice?
Please let me know. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mr. Jason Goldman
JGoldman10@yahoo.com
Answer -
Cold energy has no meaning.  Ice would have negative thermal energy compared to anything greater than 0 degrees C.  Compared to liquid nitrogen (-196C) it would have positive thermal energy.  There are no hot and cold energies.  Hot and cold are subjective (layman), not scientific terms.

Hello.

Thank you. Could you please list some other sources of thermal energy?
Besides ice and liquid nitrogen, what other energy sources have negative thermal energy? Please let me know. Thank you.

Sincererly,
Mr. Jason Golman
JGoldman10@yahoo.com

Answer
You still are missing the point.  Thermal energy is always a comparative.  Ice is only negative when compared to something warmer.  Boiling water is negative when compared to an acetylene torch.  All of these have to be compared to something else.  Everything can be positive or negative when put this way.

Please no more followups.  At this point ask your teacher.