What is thermal energy?
1. The distance between particles and their freedom to move around
2. The total kinetic energy of all particles in a substance
3. The measurement of energy in an object due to position, conduction, or chemical composition
4. A material that is a conductor of heat
2. The total kinetic energy of all particles in a substance
The correct answer is option 2. Thermal energy refers to the total kinetic energy of all particles in a substance. It is a form of energy associated with the motion and vibration of particles in a material.
The correct answer is 2. The total kinetic energy of all particles in a substance.
To understand thermal energy, let's break it down. Thermal energy is a form of energy that is associated with the motion of particles in a substance. It is related to the temperature of the substance, as temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles.
The more kinetic energy the particles have, the higher the temperature and the greater the thermal energy. The particles in a substance can vibrate, rotate, and move around freely. This motion represents the kinetic energy of the particles.
Therefore, the total kinetic energy of all particles in the substance is what we refer to as thermal energy. It is important to note that thermal energy is not the same as heat, although they are related. Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from one object or substance to another due to a temperature difference.
So, in summary, thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of all particles in a substance, which is related to their motion and temperature.