Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Practice Test 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Preparation Guide for Exam Success

Question: 1 / 400

What does temperature measure in a substance?

The total mass of the substance

The average kinetic movement energy of the molecules

Temperature measures the average kinetic energy of the molecules in a substance. This means that it reflects how fast the particles are moving; as the temperature increases, the molecules move more rapidly, indicating higher kinetic energy. Conversely, when the temperature decreases, the molecules slow down, resulting in lower kinetic energy.

Understanding temperature in this way is fundamental to many concepts in physics and chemistry, as it provides insight into molecular motion and behavior during processes such as phase changes (like melting and boiling) and chemical reactions. The other choices, such as total mass, potential energy, and density, pertain to different physical properties and do not directly relate to the measurement of temperature.

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The potential energy stored in the substance

The density of the substance

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