Which of the following best defines temperature?

Temperature is best defined as a measure of how hot or cold an object is. This measurement reflects the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance; the higher the kinetic energy, the higher the temperature, indicating that the object feels hot to the touch. Conversely, lower kinetic energy corresponds to cooler temperatures.

This definition is essential as temperature plays a crucial role in various scientific concepts, including heat transfer, state changes of matter, and the behavior of gases. Understanding temperature in this way helps to contextualize many physical phenomena that we observe in everyday life, from weather patterns to the functioning of engines and refrigerators.