Question

What is the best description of thermal energy?(1 point)
Responses

Thermal energy is the energy stored in an object’s chemical bonds.
Thermal energy is the energy stored in an object’s chemical bonds.

Thermal energy is kinetic energy.
Thermal energy is kinetic energy.

Thermal energy is the kinetic energy contained in an object or substance due to the movement of its atoms and/or molecules.
Thermal energy is the kinetic energy contained in an object or substance due to the movement of its atoms and/or molecules.

Thermal energy is a measure of an object or substance’s heat.
Thermal energy is a measure of an object or substance’s heat.

Answer 1

"The thermal energy is the kinetic energy contained in an object or substance due to the movement of its atoms and/or molecules."

This is best because thermal energy comes from microscopic motion of particles (and their interactions). It's different from chemical-bond (potential) energy and from heat (which is energy transfer).