Is thermal energy a renewable or non-renewable energy?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the classification of thermal energy as renewable or non-renewable, with participants exploring various aspects of thermal energy, including its advantages and efficiency. The original poster expresses confusion over mixed answers found during research and seeks clarification on these topics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the ambiguity of thermal energy's classification, with some suggesting that it may depend on specific circumstances. Questions about the efficiency of thermal energy and its advantages are raised, along with requests for examples of renewable versus non-renewable thermal energy sources.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the topic, with some participants providing examples and suggesting that the classification of thermal energy can vary based on context. Guidance has been offered regarding the need for more detailed examples and considerations of efficiency, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the original question is ambiguous and that the classification of thermal energy may depend on the source and method of production. There is also mention of a project deadline, indicating time constraints for the original poster.

max1020
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im not talking about geothermal energy because my teacher gave us topics and mine is thermal energy and i did some research but i still don't get it if its renewable or nonrenewable because i got mixed answers when i researched about it.
and are there any advantages for this energy?
i think the advantages are
getting heat from the sun and electricity being produced by thermal energy but other than that i have no other idea for advantages! can someone please help me
 
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I don't think it fits in either category.

and are there any advantages for this energy?
Energies do not have advantages.
"Using X to do Y" can have advantages or disadvantages (compared to using Z for the same goal), but then you first have to find a way to use X for Y. This will also determine if the process is renewable.
 
so can i say its both depending on its cirumstance say why?
is thermal energy efficient? i googled this question but i kept on getting thermal energy efficiency which is different from what I am asking. can you please help me? my project is due tomorrow!
 
max1020 said:
is thermal energy efficient?
Is an apple efficient?
Efficient in what, compared to what?
my project is due tomorrow!
Then you clearly started too late.
 
oops i meant as is it an efficent energy? i thinks it effiecent for an energy but I am not sure if I am right
 
max1020 said:
im not talking about geothermal energy because my teacher gave us topics and mine is thermal energy and i did some research but i still don't get it if its renewable or nonrenewable because i got mixed answers when i researched about it.
and are there any advantages for this energy?
i think the advantages are
getting heat from the sun and electricity being produced by thermal energy but other than that i have no other idea for advantages! can someone please help me

max1020 said:
so can i say its both depending on its cirumstance say why?
is thermal energy efficient? i googled this question but i kept on getting thermal energy efficiency which is different from what I am asking. can you please help me? my project is due tomorrow!

As already said, the question is very ambiguous. So the best approach IMO is to give examples of "thermal energy" situations where some are renewable and some are not.

So what are some examples of where thermal energy is used to produce electricity, and the source of that thermal energy *is not* renewable? I can think of several right away.

And what are some examples of where thermal energy is used to produce electricity, and the source of that thermal energy *is* renewable? Same thing, it's easy to think of several examples.

I think if you write your answer in that way, you should get good credit. You will have covered the correct answer either way, and you will have addressed the fact that the problem as presented to you was ambiguous.

Write up your answer(s), and post them here. We can critique them for you. :smile:
 
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renewable- solar thermal energy,unlimited
non-renewable= heat from electric stoves, heater, flames these thermal energies cannot be replenished and are limited resources
examples of how it produces energy is through solar thermal, and heating up water that is later turned into electricty.
i think that thermal energy is an efficient energy because it produces a lot of energy through different ways since it is produced by heat
 
max1020 said:
renewable- solar thermal energy,unlimited
non-renewable= heat from electric stoves, heater, flames these thermal energies cannot be replenished and are limited resources
examples of how it produces energy is through solar thermal, and heating up water that is later turned into electricty.
i think that thermal energy is an efficient energy because it produces a lot of energy through different ways since it is produced by heat

That's closer, but needs more details and some corrections.

Solar energy could be considered renewable IMO, especially since all other renewable energy sources get their energy from the sun in some way. What other renewable energy sources can you think of (think about how the sun gives them some form of energy)?

And whether heat produced from flames is renewable or not depends on how the flames were produced. Can you think of a way to make flames that depends on a renewable energy source?

In terms of efficiency of using thermal energy to make electricity, do some reading about the "Carnot Cycle", and compare making electricity with boiling water versus with a hydroelectric dam...
 
berkeman posted a good reply. A small addition: check how nuclear power plants work.
 

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