Which object has the most thermal energy?
an orange at a temperature of 64°F an orange at a temperature of 57°F an orange at a temperature of 68°F
The objects are identical except for their temperatures.
All solids, liquids, and gases are made of matter. Matter is made up of tiny particles that are always moving. The energy from the motion of these particles is called thermal energy.
Temperature measures how hot or cold matter is. If the particles in matter move faster, the temperature goes up. The matter now has both more thermal energy and a higher temperature.
All three oranges have the same mass but different temperatures. Since the 68°F orange is the hottest, it has the most thermal energy.