4.1.1 Heat and Temperature

  1. Heat is the flow of thermal energy.
  2. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy which each molecule of an object possesses.

Thermal Energy and Heat

  1. Thermal energy is a measure of the sum of kinetic and potential energy in all the molecules or atoms in an object.
  2. The SI unit of thermal energy is Joule, J.
  3. Heat is the flow of thermal energy, from a hotter body to a colder one.

Temperature

  1. Temperature is a physical quantity which measures the degree of hotness of an object.
  2. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy which each molecule of an object possesses.
  3. One object is at a higher temperature than another if the average kinetic energy of each of its molecules is greater. 
  4. The SI unit of temperature is Kelvin, K.

Differences between Thermal Energy and Temperature

Thermal Energy
Temperature
A form of Energy Degree of hotness of an object.
Unit: Joule (J) Unit: Kelvin (K)/ Degree Celsius (oC)
Sum of the kinetic energy and potential energy of the particles. Average kinetic energy of the particles.
Derived quantity Base quantity