Question

List the disadvantages of thermal energy.

Answer 1

Hint: The thermal energy of an object is the energy contained in the motion and vibration of its molecules. Thermal energy is measured through temperature. It is also known as heat energy.

Complete answer:
Thermal energy is produced when a rise in temperature causes atoms and molecules to move faster and collide with each other. The energy that comes from the temperature of the heated substance is called thermal energy. In larger quantities, it is usually generated through combustibles like oil, natural gas, wood, and geothermal plants.

The disadvantages of thermal energy:
Thermal energy is required in larger quantities for any substantial use like cooking or power generation in electrical power plants.
> Thermal energy is nearly impossible to be stored in any form or transferred in any other form.
> Due to this difficult storage of thermal energy, the very high amounts of it is very dangerous and unsafe for humans.
> The high amounts of thermal energy in power plants require a steady supply of combustibles. These contribute to various environmental concerns because of the production of greenhouse gases and other dangerous gases.
> The heated water used in thermal power plants has an adverse effect on the lives in the water and disturbs the ecology.

Note:
The thermal power plants are quite economical in initial phases but the running costs increase with time. That is why hydroelectric plants or in recent times, nuclear power plants are more used. In places near the thermal power plants, black ash and similar substances are found in high concentration in air. It is due to the burning of combustibles for power plants and has a very adverse effect on health.