The energy that an object has due to the motion of its particles is called
a. kinetic energy.
b. potential energy.
c. thermal energy.
d. heat.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is c. thermal energy.
Thermal energy refers to the energy that an object possesses due to the motion of its particles. It is directly related to the temperature of the object. At the microscopic level, all matter is made up of particles (atoms and molecules), which are constantly moving. This movement can take the form of vibrations, rotations, or translations, and the faster these particles move, the greater the thermal energy of the object.
Thermal energy is a result of the kinetic energy of the individual particles of matter. It is important to note that thermal energy is not the same as heat, though they are related. Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from one object to another due to a temperature difference.
Potential energy, on the other hand, is the energy stored in an object due to its position or configuration, not due to the motion of its particles. Kinetic energy, on the other hand, is the energy an object possesses due to its macroscopic motion, such as the movement of a car or a baseball. It is related to the speed and mass of an object, not to the microscopic motion of particles.
In a substance, the more its particles move, the more thermal energy the substance has. For example, when you heat water on a stove, the thermal energy of the water increases, causing the molecules to move faster. This increased movement results in a rise in temperature.
Thermal energy plays a key role in many physical and chemical processes, such as phase changes (e.g., ice melting into water) and the operation of engines, refrigerators, and other heat-based systems.