Thermal energy is defined as a form of energy created by the motion of atoms, molecules and other particles. It includes heat and cold, and is transferred to and from objects or systems in three different ways: conduction, convection and radiation.
Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy between objects that have direct physical contact with one another. This type of heat transfer can be found in both solids and liquids, but not gases. It is caused by the kinetic energy of atoms and molecules. As energy is transferred, the atoms or molecules of a substance become more active, thus heating up the object. Heat is conducted from warmer regions (higher kinetic energy) to cooler regions (lower kinetic energy), thus evening out the temperature differential. Common examples of conduction are found in everyday situations such as holding a hot pan to heat food or touching a cold ice cube with your finger.
Convection is the transfer of heat from one place to another by the movement of a fluid, such as water or air. Liquid particles and gases move away from areas of higher temperature, to areas of lower temperature in the form of currents. As those particles heat up and become more active, they move to areas of lesser activity, which causes an overall heating effect. This type of heat transfer is seen in many everyday occurrences such as the water being heated in a pot or warm air rising through a room.
Radiation is the transfer of heat by way of electromagnetic waves. This type of thermal energy transfer is used to power solar energy systems, as well as many everyday sources of heat such as a fireplace or the sun itself. This type of heat transfer doesnt require a medium like the other two do and can be conducted through empty space, although depending on the distance between the heated object and the receiving object, the energy transfer efficiency may vary significantly.
In summary, thermal energy is transferred in three ways: conduction, convection and radiation. With thermal energy, heat is conducted from warmer regions (higher kinetic energy) to cooler regions (lower kinetic energy), thus evening out the temperature differential. Convection is the transfer of heat from one place to another by the movement of a fluid and radiation is the transfer of heat by way of electromagnetic waves. These three methods of heat transfer make up the fundamentals of thermal energy transfer.