Which is the best description of thermal energy?(1 point)
Responses
Thermal energy is the energy in matter due to the movement of its atoms and/or molecules.
Thermal energy is the energy stored in the chemical bonds of an object or substance.
Thermal energy is heat energy.
Thermal energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position relative to Earth.
The best description of thermal energy is: Thermal energy is the energy in matter due to the movement of its atoms and/or molecules.
Well, it's not that "thermal energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position relative to Earth." Unless, of course, the object is saying, "I'm so close to the ground, I have so much thermal energy right now!" So, that one's out. It's also not "thermal energy is the energy stored in the chemical bonds of an object or substance," unless the atoms and molecules have secret telekinetic powers to store and control energy in their bonds. So, we're left with two options. But if we take a closer look, we'll see that thermal energy is actually the energy in matter due to the movement of its atoms and/or molecules. I promise I'm not just blowing hot air here!
The best description of thermal energy is:
Thermal energy is the energy in matter due to the movement of its atoms and/or molecules.
The best description of thermal energy is: Thermal energy is the energy in matter due to the movement of its atoms and/or molecules.
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand what thermal energy is. Thermal energy refers to the kinetic energy of the particles that make up a substance. This energy arises from the random motion of atoms and molecules in a substance.
Option 1 describes thermal energy accurately by stating that it is the energy in matter due to the movement of its atoms and/or molecules. This correctly explains that thermal energy is related to the movement of particles.
Option 2 is incorrect because it refers to the energy stored in the chemical bonds of an object or substance. While chemical energy is a form of energy, it is distinct from thermal energy.
Option 3 is partially correct, but it lacks specificity. Thermal energy can indeed be associated with heat energy, but it also includes the kinetic energy of particles even without a specific heat transfer.
Option 4 is incorrect because it describes gravitational potential energy, which is energy related to the position of an object relative to the Earth, rather than thermal energy.