About the Evolution of the Concept of Heat and Thermal Energy

TL;DR

This paper traces the historical development of the concepts of heat and thermal energy from ancient philosophy to modern physics, highlighting key ideas and scientific advancements over time.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive chronological review of the evolution of heat and thermal energy concepts through extensive bibliographical research.

Findings

Concepts of heat and thermal energy evolved significantly over centuries.

Understanding of calorific phenomena led to modern thermal energy theory.

Historical perspective informs current scientific understanding.

Abstract

The concept of thermal energy was only fully formulated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The search for the understanding of calorific phenomena was what provided the construction and development of the concept of thermal energy. In this work we present the evolution of the concept of heat and thermal energy over time, following a chronological order and the evolution of the ideas and principles in question. For this, a vast bibliographical research on the subject was carried out. The theme has been addressed from the ancient Greek philosophers to the advent of modern physics with the elucidation of the phenomenon of thermal radiation.