Which of the following best describes what temperature measures?

• A. The amount of heat transferred between objects
• B. The average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance
• C. The total energy stored in chemical bonds
• D. The mass of a substance

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that temperature is a physical quantity that relates to the motion of particles in a substance.
2. Recall that heat is energy transferred due to temperature difference, but temperature itself is not the amount of heat transferred.
3. Recognize that the total energy stored in chemical bonds refers to chemical potential energy, not temperature.
4. Know that mass is a measure of the amount of matter, which is different from temperature.
5. Conclude that temperature best describes the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, reflecting how fast the particles are moving on average.