thermal
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thermal
Related to heat, caused by heat, or working with heat. The term is mainly used in scientific and technical contexts.
Eine thermische Solaranlage nutzt die Sonnenenergie zur Erzeugung von Warmwasser.
A thermal solar system uses solar energy to produce hot water.
The adjective 'thermisch' (thermal) belongs to a word family that has to do with heat. It is related to words such as 'die Therme' (thermal bath), 'das Thermometer' (thermometer), or 'die Thermoskanne' (thermos flask).
Mit einem Thermometer misst man die Temperatur.
You use a thermometer to measure temperature.
'Thermisch' (thermal) is a technical term from engineering and the natural sciences. In everyday language, people would usually simply use 'Wärme-' (heat) instead, for example 'Wärmeenergie' (heat energy) instead of 'thermische Energie' (thermal energy).
Die thermische Analyse des Materials zeigte interessante Eigenschaften.
The thermal analysis of the material showed interesting properties.
The adjective 'thermisch' (thermal) is often used in fixed combinations. Common examples are 'thermische Energie' (thermal energy), 'thermische Isolierung' (thermal insulation), or 'eine thermische Behandlung' (a thermal treatment).
Gute Fenster sorgen für eine bessere thermische Isolierung des Hauses.
Good windows provide better thermal insulation for the house.
infrared
'thermisch' and 'infrarot' can both have to do with heat, but they do not mean the same thing. 'Thermisch' means generally that something is related to heat, caused by heat, or works with heat. The word fits in technical or scientific contexts, for example with energy, protection, or stress on materials. 'Infrarot' refers to a specific type of invisible radiation that we often perceive as heat. Learners may confuse the words because infrared often makes heat visible or measurable. But not everything thermal is infrared, and 'infrarot' is more precise when you are talking about this radiation or devices that use it.
Die neue Jacke bietet einen guten thermischen Schutz bei Kälte.
The new jacket offers good thermal protection in cold weather.
Die Kamera arbeitet mit infrarotem Licht und zeigt warme Körper auch im Dunkeln.
The camera works with infrared light and shows warm bodies even in the dark.