AFOQT Practice Test

What does the term 'temperature' refer to in terms of kinetic energy?

1. The energy of an object in motion

2. The sum of potential and kinetic energy

3. The average kinetic energy of all atoms or molecules

4. The energy transfer from one substance to another

The correct answer is: The average kinetic energy of all atoms or molecules

The term 'temperature' refers specifically to the average kinetic energy of all atoms or molecules in a substance. It provides a measurable indication of how energetic the particles within that substance are, which directly relates to their movement. When the temperature of a material increases, it implies that the average kinetic energy of its particles is also increasing, leading to faster movement and collisions among the particles. This definition is grounded in the kinetic theory of matter, which states that the kinetic energy of particles is what manifests as thermal energy. Thus, temperature serves as a crucial indicator of the energy state of a substance at a microscopic level. By contrasting it with options that encompass broader concepts, the clarity of temperature being linked directly to average kinetic energy becomes evident. The correct choice encapsulates this fundamental relationship in thermodynamics.