Thermal Energy is and refers to the energy created when the kinetic and potential energy of an object in motion is combined. Now, conduction is the transfer of energy through matter from particle to particle . Convection is a little different. Convection is the transfer of heat by the actual movement of the warmed matter. An example of convection would be a coffee mug. Heat leaves the coffee cup as the currents of steam and air rise. Radiation is when electromagnetic waves that directly transport energy through space. Sunlight is actually a form of radiation. And that's basically thermal energy.