alleryStart learning →What is thermal energy?
AKinetic energy of random particle motion
BPotential energy stored inside chemical bonds
CThe measured temperature of a warm object
DThe light given out by a very hot object
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Kinetic energy of random particle motion
1. Atoms and molecules in any sample are in constant random motion.
2. The kinetic energy of that random motion is the thermal energy of the sample.
3. Faster average motion means higher average kinetic energy, which we call hot.
4. Temperature is the measure of that hotness, not the energy itself.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 5 "Thermochemistry", section 5.1 Energy Basics_
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