Which of the following best describes what temperature measures in a substance?

• A. The average kinetic energy of the particles
• B. The total potential energy of the particles
• C. The average potential energy of the particles
• D. The total kinetic energy of the particles

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that temperature is a measure related to the energy of particles in a substance.
2. Recall that particles in a substance have both kinetic energy (due to motion) and potential energy (due to position or interactions).
3. Recognize that temperature specifically correlates with the average kinetic energy of the particles, not their potential energy or total energy.
4. Note that total kinetic energy depends on the number of particles and their individual energies, but temperature is an intensive property reflecting average energy per particle.
5. Conclude that temperature measures the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.