Which of the following statements about temperature is true?

• A. Temperature depends on the amount of substance present.
• B. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.
• C. Temperature measures the total thermal energy contained in a substance.
• D. Temperature is measured in joules.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of temperature: Temperature is a physical quantity that reflects how hot or cold an object is, and it is related to the motion of particles within the substance.
2. Recall that temperature is specifically a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, not the total energy or the amount of substance.
3. Distinguish temperature from thermal energy: Thermal energy depends on both the temperature and the amount of substance, while temperature itself does not depend on the quantity of material.
4. Note the units of temperature: Temperature is commonly measured in degrees Celsius (°C), Kelvin (K), or Fahrenheit (°F), but not in joules, which are units of energy.
5. Conclude that the true statement is: 'Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.'