ChemWiki: The Dynamic Chemistry E-textbook > Physical Chemistry
> Thermodynamics > State Functions > Thermal Energy  Thermal
Energy  Thermal Energy, also known as random or internal Kinetic
Energy, due to the random motion of molecules in a system.
Kinetic Energy is seen in three forms: vibrational, rotational,
and translational. Vibrational is the energy caused by an object
or molecule moving in a vibrating motion, rotational is the
energy caused by rotating motion, and translational is the
energy caused by the movement of one molecule to to another
location.  Thermal Energy and Temperature  Thermal energy is
directly proportional to the temperature within a given System.
(Recall that a system is the subject of interest while the
surroundings are located outside of the systems and the two
interact via energy and matter exchange.) As a result of this
relationship between thermal energy and the temperature of the
system, the following applies:The more molecules present, the
greater the movement of molecules wi