Question

What is the thermal energy of an object? a)it's total temperature b)the total potential energy of its particles c)the total kinetic energy of its particles d)the total potential and kinetic energy of its particles

Answer 1

Correct answer: D). the total potential and kinetic energy of its particles

The thermal energy is the sum of the potential energy and kinetic energy, that is known to make all the particle in an object. It is the energy that is responsible for its temperature. Heat is the flow of thermal energy. Thermal energy is the result of something that has some internal temperature which can be measured.

Hence, the correct answer would be option D.

Answer 2

It is D because  
Thermal energy is the heat energy, m c T, where m is the mass, c the specific heat, T the temperature. It includes kinetic energy of various types (translation, rotation, vibration), but not potential energy.