Astronomy Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Preparation Guide

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How is thermal energy defined?

The average kinetic energy of many particles in a substance.

The total kinetic energy of many particles in a substance.

Thermal energy is defined as the total kinetic energy of many particles in a substance. This encompasses the energy that results from the motion of individual particles, which includes both translational motion (movement through space) and other forms of motion such as rotational and vibrational motion. The collective kinetic energy of these particles at a microscopic level determines the temperature of a substance, which is a measure of its thermal energy.

In this context, while the average kinetic energy is related to temperature, it is not the definition of thermal energy itself. Thermal energy takes into account every particle’s motion, hence it is described as the total kinetic energy rather than just the average. The options that refer to energy stored in bonds or heat transfer do not capture the concept of thermal energy since they relate to different physical processes or types of energy.

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The energy stored in the bonds of a substance.

The heat transfer from an object to its surroundings.

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