Heat and temperature
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2. Thermal energy, temperature and mass

Thermal energy and temperature are closely related. Both reflect the kinetic energy of moving particles of matter.


Temperature is the average kinetic energy of particles of matter.

Thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of particles of matter.

Does this mean that matter with a lower temperature has less thermal energy than matter with a higher temperature?

Not necessarily. Another factor also affects thermal energy. The other factor is mass.

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